Your privacy is gone--scary, creepy facial recognition software
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31633)
United States
March 15, 2017 2:55pm CST
On March 21, Facezam will make its debut. This means if you have the app, you can take a picture of a total stranger and run it through the Facezam app to find out who it is. Anyone with a smartphone will be able to do this. 
I, however, am safe! 
Facezam only recognizes those with Facebook accounts. I have an account but the name and profile photo is that of my deceased dog, Gus.
Is this new software scary to you? Do you see any advantages to it or just invasion of privacy? What if someone takes you photo, finds out who you are, and stalks you, robs you, or assaults you? What do you think of this new development?
I, however, am safe! Facezam only recognizes those with Facebook accounts. I have an account but the name and profile photo is that of my deceased dog, Gus.
Is this new software scary to you? Do you see any advantages to it or just invasion of privacy? What if someone takes you photo, finds out who you are, and stalks you, robs you, or assaults you? What do you think of this new development?15 people like this
19 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
15 Mar 17
These kind of software are existing since about 20 years, but I would not have thought that somebody would launch an app like this one. It will be quite certainly declared illegal in my country by our National Commission for Computing and Freedom, and possibly in the rest of the EU which protects more privacy than the USA. Anyway, I am happy to have deleted my FB account long ago...
4 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I didn't know that France had that department but it's a good thing for you that it does. Every country should protect its citizens' privacy because in doing that they also protect the nation's security. My own government has been interested in everything but our security for decades. I'm hoping that will change. People here (the US) don't seem worried about anything and routinely post pics of themselves, their kids, even their residences for everyone to see!
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
26 Mar 17
That is pretty freaky. Now I am not sure if I should change my Facebook photo or not.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
26 Mar 17
If you had your real photo there, it's too late to change now because they've already got it. There are very few photos of me and none at all on the internet.
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Apr 17
It seems today everybody is supposed to be a bad guy. I think I will really lose my privacy if this Facezam comes true. In fact bad guys can take advantage of it, too. This is not a good idea. I think this technology is fine to be used to some departments like custom, police etc. rather than for public.
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Apr 17
@dragon54u Oh... Actually I have quite a lot of photos online
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
1 Apr 17
I knew something like this was coming, although someone here mentioned it's a hoax. I have no doubt they can do this, which is why I've always kept my identity protected on the internet.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I don't see many who are reluctant to post personal things, honestly. They post pictures of their children, their pets, themselves, their possessions, and post their most intimate thoughts and personal information. I'm surprised there hasn't been more crime since Facebook opened for business.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (57231)
•
16 Mar 17
@dragon54u I wasn't thinking of facebook - some even write about when they are leaving on holiday. I was thinking more specifically of writing sites.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
15 Mar 17
That was a good idea but half your face is still out there. Most people don't even try to protect their stuff on Facebook.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
15 Mar 17
Think its awful.
I am going to be even more careful than before.
I did not know about this either as I was occupied with other things that I really should not even be entertaining.
No photos are going to go on that Wall anymore except Flowers maybe and that is it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I was really upset when my DIL's mom and aunt published pics of my granddaughter on FB. People have their kids plastered all over the internet, have they never heard of child molesters?!
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
16 Mar 17
@dragon54u
I have noticed that a lot of photos on most people´s pages have vanished over night or is just me and my imagination?
I have taken off a lot of photos anyway.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Even that creeps me out although I know there is some good that comes from it. Humans tend to corrupt things that they use if they can profit from it.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Mar 17
@dragon54u You are right. Good things are often abused and used for personal gain.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Mar 17
This sounds like a very bad idea. There are so many images online. Is it only on FB they can do this or maybe anywhere you have a photo?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
31 Mar 17
Someone pointed out that this was a hoax but I'm sure they have that capability and will do it. I'm sure that they can grab a photo anywhere you publish it and that's why my dogs are the only real photos I share online.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I do have an anonymous FB account but only to keep up with family. I find myself going there less and less because it's turned into a whiny political garbage dump.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 17
@dragon54u I hear enough about how awful it is that I've never gone there. Vince is on a couple of sites and keeps up-to-date with anything we need to know.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
25 Mar 17
I was just relieved that I've always protected my identity by keeping my real name and details off the internet. You have to be careful everywhere these days.
1 person likes this
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
6 Apr 17
I can see the software being useful in catching criminals, yet it can be unsafe with people stalking your every move.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
6 Apr 17
Anything can be used for evil and will be, especially if it is profitable to someone!
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
18 Mar 17
I don't like it at all. It is seriously frighting. With so many people in the world with malice and ill will and mental health problems...I can see this more of a threat than a benefit. My Facebook picture is different too.
Any chance we can stop this from happening?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
19 Mar 17
I doubt we can stop it. All we can do is try to protect ourselves by being cautious and not so open.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
19 Mar 17
@dragon54u In an information age we need to stop sharing our personal information, eh? A paradox?
What about government? Anyone fighting it?
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I have a real phobia about cameras, always have. My family has very few pictures of me and I'm sorry about that but I hate, hate, hate having my picture taken. When I see a camera, particularly a surveillance camera, I cover my face. I'm not crazy, just hate my image on paper.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
31 Mar 17
It is a terrible thing! Hope they stop it due to consumer outrage.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
17 Mar 17
I followed up and Facebook says it is not true because it would violate their guidelines. But how can they prevent it? I am glad I never published a photo of me anywhere on the internet, nor my real name.
