Facial images are being captured and used for many purposes, often without your knowledge or consent. Social media giants and large tech companies use facial recognition software to identify people and build marketing profiles. The images and data you post online can be monetised by data brokers and others.
Businesses uses biometric data for customer authentication, and some Government and law enforcement agencies compile and store images and details in databases – ostensibly to keep people safe, identify threats and to provide more effective and efficient government services.
However, this technology raises ethical, privacy and security issues and there are growing calls for a robust legal and regulatory framework to protect against errors and abuses. In Australia, the Identity-matching Services Bill 2019 is being closely debated. So who owns your face? It may not be you!
