As the years pass by, technology also widens, and more and more are being discovered. From simple gadgets to complex robotics, companies never stopped studying and creating high-tech products. There is one common goal – to help people improve life on a daily basis. 

People are very much capable of improving the usual processes they have. Back in the day, searching for a specific person would take months. Now it’s possible with the technologies detecting faces.

Facial Recognition technology was introduced as a tool helping the authorities to identify human faces. The common method they are using includes fingerprints readers and eye scanners. It is now considered as the fastest biometric technology.

Facial Recognition system implemented in online platforms

Along with China, Canada was one of the first countries to allow facial recognition systems in the country. Authorities have allowed online gambling operators to use facial scan systems. What was the reason for the decision? First of all, online gaming has to be secure in the 21st century. There are many hackers who are willing to steal your funds. There have been many cases in the past when gamers have lost the funds from gaming websites. That was the main reason why the country’s government gave the green light to facial scans. Online gaming was the best industry to test the facial system in action.

The iGaming industry has successfully used facial scan systems to prevent hackers from stealing funds. Behind the idea of playing Canadian online casinos for real money is to entertain and give players a time of life. That’s why facial scan implementation was a big success. Since then, there have been almost no cases of stealing the identity or the funds from online casino dashboards. 

Overall, online casino owners are not using the facial scan for personal goals. If the player does not want to participate in facial scanning, then they have a right to deny the add-on. It’s a pre-built system but without the user’s consent, it can’t be enabled. Online casinos have implemented and used facial scans in a different way compared to police in the country.

How does Facial Recognition Technology Works in public?

This new system captures and analyzes the images taken, examining the distinct facial features of the face. The system can identify nodal points, which will create a faceprint together with a numerical code. The most common features where the nodal points are coming from are the jawline, cheekbones shape, distance between the eyes and the depth of the eye sockets, and the nose width. The system gathers numerical data and generates a specific code which will then be compared with the samples they already have.

In connection with the detection ability of Facial Recognition Technology, it can also be installed on CCTV cameras. This allows the CCTV to have security algorithms that can identify a specific numerical code (matching a particular person from a specified list) and triggering an alert which can help the authorities do their job seizing shoplifters, scam artists, or potential terrorists, as well as for recognizing VIP customers in stores who need special attention.

On the other hand, Facial Recognition Technology is not only a tool for searching persons in a quick period. Currently, it is also famous for being installed on personal gadgets like smartphones. The technology serves security purposes, which allows one to save time composing and typing passwords or pin. It will only take seconds for your phone to know you and automatically unlock once you’ve faced your phones. 

But not all are at this new system’s side as the growing population is also being cautious of the confidentiality of files to be uploaded as samples. 

Canadian Limits Using FRT

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of Canada has put limitations on using facial recognition technology. If in desperate need of using the system, one shall secure the consent of collection, use, or transfer of personal information. The government has agreed to set ground rules for each and different cases that may apply before the system gets fully implemented in Canada.

 Global News report claims Toronto Police Service has confirmed that some of their members have used Clearview AI’s facial recognition tool. Although it was only to test the machine. Clearview AI’s technology allows the collection of massive data, including large numbers of images that serve as samples for comparison, which was supposed to help the police and other institutions identify people.

Based on a published report submitted by Chief Mark Saunders, it was a great help using the system to come up with leads and to secure accurate data regarding the appearance of their target. The country has CCTVs all over the streets, which makes it more convenient for them as these cameras can directly organize and print images matching their target. They acquired the system last March 2018. 

According to Canadian Press, the implementation of the system in Toronto has created matches for 60% of a thousand searches from March to December of 2019, and 80% actually lead to closed cases where the search has matched the identification of criminal offenders. Many crimes were solved, including homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies, and gang-related crimes.

On the other hand, the main headquarters still say that privacy regulators will inspect the performance of the system and will conform with Canadian privacy laws. In line with that, each in every province has agreed to develop a set of rules to serve as guidance in using biometric technology, including facial recognition. They believe that with appropriate handling and proper knowledge and control over the system, it will lead to a great number of success providing security to people and still maintain confidentiality over the acquired data.