India Internet News
Facebook Ad Helps In Turning Off 'Facial Recognition' Feature
29 July 2011
Facebook has replied to the privacy yell on its latest facial recognition system, through advertisements that displays users how to switch it off. Facebook had selected users into the "Tag Suggestions" feature during the start of this year.
The feature utilizes facial recognition technology to recognize individuals in pictures uploaded on Facebook, and then recommends to their friends that they should "tag" them so they are simpler to look for. The step showed concerns that pictures could be shared more widely than thought and induced disapproval that Facebook was "eroding the online privacy of its users by stealth".
Critics suggests Internet users must be provided with a choice as to whether to go with a new feature.
Facebook accepted it "should have been more clear" regarding the system and is currently running ads on all user profiles that "help people to learn about the feature and how they can control it". The ads, which as per Facebook have been shown over 2.7 billion times, ask users to update their privacy settings.
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen says he was glad by Facebook's reply. "Facebook has made significant changes that will provide better service and greater privacy protection to its users. For any users who opt out, any facial recognition data collected will be deleted."