5 surprising locations facial recognition is used.

Sounds kinda creepy doesn't it? Places you are being identified without even knowing it.


An article released by Alternet explains how our neighbours to the South are having trouble staying anonymous.

Thankfully in Canada we aren't retarded.

1. On the streets of America.

I first assumed this was illegal. But apparently an iphone app exists which can identify random strangers.

In the fall, police officers from 40 departments will hit the streets armed with the Mobile Offender Recognition and Information System (MORIS) device. The gadget, which attaches to an iPhone, can take an iris scan from 6 inches away, a measure of a person's face from 5 feet away, or electronic fingerprints, according to Computer vision central. This biometric information can be matched to any database of pictures, including, potentially, one of the largest collections of tagged photos in existence: Facebook. The process is almost instant, so no time for a suspect to opt out of supplying law enforcement with a record of their biometric data.

2. The DMV.

Over 100 arrests were made in the US from facial recognition systems installed at DMVs.

3. Las Vegas Casinos and Kraft and Addidas Stores.

Las Vegas I understand. Kraft and Addidas stores? Wtf...I won't go into details.

4. Bars.

The software installed in certain bars is used to track the ratio of men and women and target ages the place attracts.

America is effed.

5. ALL OF JAPAN.

Seriously.

a) Vending machines: Japanese vending machines suggest soft drinks based on stereotypes based on your gender and age (and the weather).

b) Billboards: Japanese billboards contain technology that figures out a person's sex and age to within 10 years, and presents them with the appropriate advertising.

c) Truck stops: A truck stop uses facial recognition to gauge the alertness of drivers.

d) Hotels and restaurants: NTDtv reports Omron, a Japanese technology company, equips hotels and restaurants with the technology to let them flag VIP guests.

e) Service work: According to Reuters, Omron also uses a "smile-scan" allowing service companies to ensure their employees evince the appropriate levels of enthusiasm on the job.

Weren't expecting that, were ya?