The Value of the Face: Face ID and Digital Security
By: Eric Silva
On June 21st, International Selfie Day was celebrated, which, as its name suggests, emerged as a way to recognize the popularity of the selfie in today's culture. Without a doubt, it has become a natural and everyday thing for many people thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and the almost omnipresent presence of social media.
It could be said that taking a selfie is a form of self-expression, of sharing moments with friends and followers. This day celebrates people's individuality and creativity by capturing those moments. The popularity of this type of photography reminds us of the importance of the face and the value it can hold.
The selfie has boomed due to the incorporation of front-facing cameras in digital devices and the ease this gives users to take photos without the help of a third person. With this, tools like facial recognition also begin to become widespread. Facial recognition is a biometric identification method similar to fingerprinting, which relies on using physical characteristics, specifically facial ones, to identify or verify a person's identity.
The facial recognition system uses unique dynamic patterns and complex algorithms, making it one of the most secure and effective methods for identifying people. A face's image is translated into numerical values that, when combined, result in a distinctive pattern characteristic of that face.
It was on September 12, 2017, that the facial recognition technology developed by was presented. Apple, Face ID. The iPhone X was the first to replace Touch ID with this new identification method, and from that moment on, it became the primary form of authentication for Apple devices.
According to Apple, the probability that a person can unlock a device that doesn't belong to them with Face ID It's approximately one in a million, compared to the one in 50,000 probability for Touch ID technology. Additionally, facial data is encrypted and stored securely on the device.
The future of facial recognition
Currently, facial recognition facilitates secure device unlocking and identity authentication. This technological advancement promises to simplify our lives and enhance security, but it also brings some significant challenges to the table. The misuse or unauthorized collection of facial data could compromise user privacy.
The future of facial recognition will depend on how society and tech leaders handle these ethical and legal challenges, ensuring that technological advancement aligns with fundamental human values and addresses the real needs of people in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.
