Opinion

Face mapping

Not only has the RTA been mapping the face of the 15 million people in its photo files, it is sharing that information with all Australia's police and, indeed, any government agency that asks for it. A computer scans a photograph and produces a mathematical map that is basically a long number, and so the RTA and police and whoever else will need only match a number rather than the impossible task of matching a face. Well, matching faces would be impossible without the use of computers, and as you realise matching a number is barely even work for a computer.

The RTA says it is using the face mapping to detect identity fraud, and in particular people who have a number of driving licences with different identifying details. But in sharing their data and capacity to map faces the project could be about much more. At some point, for example, a high-definition camera linked to a face-mapping computer could scan the crowd at a football game pointing police to people with outstanding warrants. Such a camera-computer could search for a specific person.

CCTVs are ubiquitous in commercial and entertainment areas and premises, giving police another opportunity to put facial mapping to good use. Live streaming of CCTV images to the police computer room would be even more useful. "He's just sat down with a beer at The Good Lord Hotel, third table in from the door."

Face mapping may well provide police with a tool as useful as the automatic number plate recognition system that is catching a disturbing number of unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles on NSW roads now.

I can see no good reason why everyone's identity should not be known and obvious to police. Mine is, because my photo is in The Herald, and since I have nothing to hide I don't see that as a problem. Do you agree that putting a face to those who want to be faceless is in all our interests?

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 4/06/2010 9:52:00 AM | Comments (49)

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Society has this stigma about people 'having' their picture or details..maybe it's a natural evolutionary protective instinct at work. One would hope that if one had nothing to hide, one would have nothing to worry about. But as is the case in many technological advancements these days, something that was designed for the good of society inevitably ends up being corrupted into something that's not so good.

Posted by crusty, 4/06/2010 8:43:46 AM, on The Herald

Face mapping ,micro chipping, etc;..(shades of "1984" - George Orwell). Yeah, why not. I certainly cant hide over here. I stand out like the proverbial thumb... Officer: "what did he look like?" Witness: "He was a foreigner with no ears!. Officer: "Are you sure about the foreigner thing?"

Posted by suzhousid, 4/06/2010 9:37:11 AM, on The Herald

And the explosion in the number of people with tattoos over here, sid, has to be seen to be believed. I have long been mystified, too, by the fact that the criminal classes stamp themselves, and often their face and hands, with ID more reliable than finger prints. But no ears is fairly reliable too, I would say.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 4/06/2010 9:57:58 AM

Jeff, I have no problem with the police etc., scanning my dial I do not have anything to hide, but I feel that it would discriminate against Austrailian Christians and others who do not have the right to cover their faces.

Posted by oldfartkev, 4/06/2010 9:47:44 AM, on The Herald

It could only be the 'Faceless Men' of the Labor Party who could try this rubbish.

Posted by beverly, 4/06/2010 10:03:31 AM, on The Herald

Jeff, its all good in theory. There is always the human element involved and trusting the human will always do the right thing. We all know humans are open to corruption and mis use of this type of information. The control room operator could easilly stalk an ex gf or ex wife to see what she is up to etc, Also look at who's hands this information is in, the Governments. Could this be used in future to manage thought control? "He Ruddy, this guy is talking bad about you should we arrest him" You have to be careful in giving the government too much control and power, this will lead us into a dictatorship. A good government is one who is scared of the population, only a bad government can enshew from controling every aspect of their populations lives.

Posted by Nafe, 4/06/2010 10:04:54 AM, on The Herald

It's just a high tech lineup. I have no objection, although I do admit to a mild bias against anything that depletes my ability to remain anonymous. I suppose the best way to remain anonymous is to remain entirely unremarkable. Mission accomplished for me....

Posted by Abundance, 4/06/2010 10:08:53 AM, on The Herald

The tattooed crowd over here are few and far between, although the hookers will have a tattoo on their hand, or so I am led to believe. usually (the tattooed crowd) are all connected to some organization, or so it seems. The smart ones dont wear tatts and will tell you that they are businessmen/women, they are generally, well mannered and respectful. Back on subject - ID (face mapping , etc;) doesnt bother me. I have nothing to hide. If people are all that bothered with their privacy then perhaps they should all wear a burqa and/or stay indoors and live a miserable life.

Posted by suzhousid, 4/06/2010 10:19:19 AM, on The Herald

Well if you are right Jeff and they could use it at footy matches etc. Maybe that would mean the criminal class and white trash would stay home? Therefore letting the average person and family free to enjoy the spectacle without bad language and bad behaviour. Because I think we could safely say that in most cases criminal = drunken louts etc. Other than that my main issue would be with mistaken identity and where it would lead. Computers do make mistakes - does it take into account beards?

Posted by leahkf, 4/06/2010 10:30:18 AM, on The Herald

I don't know, Leah, how the mapping system copes with the new appearance or loss of a beard, but I suspect that a beard is not so much a problem as sunglasses since the computer centres its mapping on the pupils.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 4/06/2010 10:40:37 AM

Who cares - no one looks like their driver's licence photo pic anyway. Suz - would I be to bold to ask about your ears (I only ask as you have mentioned it twice this week). Disregard if you wish.

Posted by Jaded, 4/06/2010 10:40:58 AM, on The Herald

"if you are doing nothing wrong you have nothing to hide" yes this will be wonderfull just like the american patriot act that was rushed into existance on the same premise of honest people not having anything to fear...now the american government has the power to hold people indefinately with no charges... the scope for misuse of something like this is huge...i find it amusing that apparently intelligent people are so easily led by politicians and media... mmmmm a gingerbread house, lets eat it.

Posted by catl, 4/06/2010 10:46:52 AM, on The Herald

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