Guess, we will disclose the whole face recognition thing (since we have to)

Facebook explains that it gives the essentials on a face scanning tool and introduces a broader deployment for another, this time by informing users beforehand.

According to a new blog by Srinivas Narayanan, Director of Applied Research on Facebook AI, the tag suggestions setting (or the one that allows users to easily tag their friends on photos based on Facebook-generated name recommendations) will no longer be available. Instead, everyone will now have the facial recognition setting that the company initially deployed to certain users in 2017 and which, according to the company, is used to enhance user security, for example by warning users when they can appear on a photo. are not marked or where someone may be using a user's photo on their own profile.

Narayanan pointed out that, thanks to Facebook's deployment of facial recognition tool intended for those who did not have it before, their news feed would tell them how its tool works and how it is used by the company. The notice will also include a button to enable or disable the feature, and Facebook indicates that it will not allow facial recognition by default to those who obtain it and do not choose to participate.

"If you do not currently have the facial recognition setting and you are not doing anything, we will not use facial recognition to recognize you or suggest tags," Narayanan said. "In addition, features like Photo Review, which lets you know when you're appearing on photos, even if you're not tagged, will not be activated until you're allowed to view the publication." of its privacy settings. People will still be able to manually tag their friends, but we will not offer to sign in if Face Recognition is not enabled. If you have already enabled the facial recognition setting, you will not receive any notification. "

Tag suggestions were used to suggest names for Facebook users' friends. Facebook said that users for whom the feature is enabled will now have default facial recognition and will be notified of the change and its operation.

If all this transparency about data privacy and education about its policies look unusually altruistic, think again. Part of the reason why Facebook decided to release this update now could have something to do with the massive $ 5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in July (though it's still in waiting for approval).

When asked to comment on the timing of the announcement, a spokesman told Gizmodo:

This work is the last phase of a long-planned depreciation of the Tag Suggestions parameter. For context, the 2017 effort was the culmination of more than two years of work. During this time, we worked to improve the deployment experience based on feedback from individuals, privacy stakeholders and regulators. The FTC's approval has not yet been approved, but we have already agreed on a more comprehensive privacy framework that governs the manufacturing of our products. Face recognition is part of this conversation.

As part of a complaint filed by the FTC about the company, the agency alleged that Facebook violated the privacy of the user in multiple ways, including misleading users on his practices in terms of facial recognition policy and – surprise! user accounts. In the end, Facebook has been ordered to adhere to a number of new measures around its facial recognition technology, including informing users about its operation and to require of the company that it gets its consent if their data is used for reasons other than those explicitly described by the company.

"Planned for the long-term" or not, notifying users of the use of technology that many of them may not have understood years later seems like a good thing for a company that is constantly sabotaging its business. user data processing.