- Security tool or privacy threat?
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Magnific
The use of facial recognition technology is becoming common in today’s world. Apart from the ability to unlock cellphones, other uses include expediting security screening at airports and improving customers’ experience in stores through better service. The technology has also been embraced in law enforcement for investigative purposes, allowing identification of suspects and analysis of security footage. As facial recognition technology continues to gain widespread acceptance, its efficiency, privacy and ethics are being questioned.
One of the most advanced uses of AI and big data is facial recognition technology (FRT), revolutionising policing and surveillance (Mobilio, 2023). Created to automate the face-matching and identification process, the technology allows police agencies to locate and monitor people linked to crime investigations, including suspects. The use of facial recognition technology has increased gradually over the years, and by 2021, at least 11 of 27 EU member states were using it in their investigations (Ragazzi, Kuskonmaz, Plájás, Van de Ven and Wagner, 2021).
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: August 2026. This article is available for purchase.]