Facial Recognition will Outlast COVID-19

Author(s): Alejandra Bringas, Kevin Kohler
Series: CSS Corona Blog
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich
Publication Year: 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented spread of facial coverings while simultaneously accelerating the adoption of digital surveillance tools, including facial recognition systems (FRS). However, whereas the facemasks will disappear again, FRS are not only poised to stay, but to keep on expanding, argue CSS' Kevin Kohler and Alejandra Bringas in this CSS Corona Blog. Consequently, governments should address the issues of bias and robustness by testing and certifying FRS. Even more importantly, there is a need to explore and discuss acceptable socio-technical configurations around the increased legibility of citizens to the state.

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