Facial Recognition

Facial recognition is being integrated into many areas of society, but concerns are growing that it is biased, intrusive, and oppressive. This book provides a critical introduction to facial recognition, arguing that we are at the cusp of a generational shift in surveillance technology that will reconfigure our expectations of anonymity in shared and public spaces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Facial recognition is poised to revolutionize our perception and comprehension of monitoring, surveillance, and privacy. Supported by influential industry interests, this technology is being rapidly integrated into various aspects of society, spanning from airports to shopping malls, classrooms to casinos. While it promises enhanced security and efficiency, concerns are emerging that this technology inherently possesses biases, invasiveness, and oppressive qualities, exerting far-reaching societal implications.

In this timely and insightful book, Neil Selwyn and Mark Andrejevic offer a comprehensive introduction to facial recognition. They trace the intricate social history of this technology and explore its potential future manifestations, delving into its conceptual and technical foundations. The book critically examines the arguments being made in favor of the widespread adoption of facial recognition. By assessing these developments, the book argues that we are witnessing a transformative shift in surveillance technology that will redefine our expectations of anonymity in shared and public spaces.

Throughout the book, the authors address a deceptively straightforward yet profound question: Do we truly desire a world where our faces serve as our primary identification? Facial Recognition is a must-read for students and scholars engaged in media and communications studies, surveillance studies, criminology, and sociology, as well as for anyone intrigued by one of the most influential technologies of our era.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509547333