Facial recognition software is coming into increasingly common use as a high-tech security measure. But is it always ethical?
The question is in the news following a report that agents with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been surreptitiously using facial recognition technology to scan driver’s license photos for information about immigrants who are in the country illegally.
Kay Mathiesen, an associate professor of philosophy and religion at Northeastern focused on information and computer ethics and justice, condemned the practice as “damaging” to all citizens, but especially minorities, whom she worries will be unfairly targeted by law enforcement.
