Google Reconsiders Facial Recognition Software

20 May 2010

Google has decided this week to reconsider introducing facial recognition technology.

The internet giant is currently reviewing the merit of introducing the controversial technology following a swell of recent complaints surrounding privacy settings.

Google is currently under investigation after admitting that its Street View mapping cars had accidentally collected browsing information, although the company has stated that none of this data can be traced to individuals.

Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt said any new product would have to be very carefully considered before release.

"Facial recognition is a good example… anything we did in that area would be highly, highly planned, discussed and reviewed," he stated.

"When you go through these things, you review your management procedures."

Facial recognition software has been tipped as the latest craze in technological innovation, helping users to organise their photographs by identifying the individuals present.

However critics have commented that it could also allow people to track strangers and make them more vulnerable to fraud.

The strength of feeling on the topic has been fuelled by the recent privacy issues surrounding the social networking site Facebook. Due to the site constantly changing privacy settings and revealing increasing amounts of personal information, many users have pledged to delete their profiles in protest.

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