Available at:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/03/31/google.face/index.html; Google making app that would identify people’s faces – CNN.com
Google has announced that it is working on a mobile application that would allow users to take pictures of people’s faces in order to access their personal information. The product would include a user’s name, phone number, and e-mail address, but Google has not indicated what other personal data might be available. Indications are that the system could be programmed to obtain publicly available pictures from third-party websites, such as Facebook.
Privacy advocates have expressed concern with this ability, especially in the wake of Google’s recent privacy “missteps.” For example, Google recently settled over grievances relating to its social networking service, Buzz. Google is also in the midst of inquiries by numerous government agencies concerning its Street View program.
Perhaps in response to privacy concerns, Google plans to use an “opt-in” model, whereby people would have to agree to give Google permission to access their personal information via facial recognition. Although this would limit the application’s utility, Google foresees many circumstances in which people would agree to be found.