FindFace: a database for human faces with some unsettling applications
The August 24 episode of聽"Babbage", a聽podcast from The Economist聽about science and technology news, reports on an worrisome聽new Russian web-site, FindFace.ru. This website allows you to input a picture of a face and do a search for that person, or someone who looks like that person,聽on VK.com, the Russian equivalent of Facebook. The website boasts of a 70% accuracy rate. 聽Moscow police recently聽used the technology behind FindFace to track down some arsonists, based on the security footage they had of the perpetrators.聽FindFace聽also advertises some examples of how聽to use their service, applications聽which to most ears would sound unsettling.聽For example:
- You might be at a bar with friends. The next day, you find out that a perfect stranger photographed you and聽used FindFace to get your name. He even sent聽you a message,聽inviting you聽for a drink.
- You are out shopping. You look聽at some of your merchandise聽but leave聽without buying anything. The shopowner can use FindFace to retarget you and聽propose other items that you might want to buy.
Hear more of the creepy details of this app on the first five minutes of聽the podcast, available on , or .