Microsoft President Wants ‘Thoughtful Regulation’ of Facial Recognition

Facial recognition technology deserves “thoughtful government regulation,” blogged Microsoft President Brad Smith Friday. Computers identifying faces through cameras and photos raises “issues that go to the heart of fundamental human rights protections like privacy and freedom of expression,” said Smith. Government and industry should determine acceptable uses, he said, with policymakers balancing public safety and democratic freedoms. Smith listed benefits: efficient photo cataloging; authorities identifying missing people and criminal suspects; and smart device security. He listed drawbacks: potential for continuous, nonconsensual government surveillance; mass unauthorized data gathering from events; commercial exploitation of surveillance systems to sell products; and racial bias. He recommended policymakers launch a “bipartisan and expert commission” to guide legislative efforts. Industry deciding alone is “an inadequate substitute for decision making by the public and its representatives,” Smith said. “A world with vigorous regulation of products that are useful but potentially troubling is better than a world devoid of legal standards.”