This week we examine the early biological theories on crime. While the early theories are long abandoned in criminology, there is a surprising resurgence of these pseudo-scientific ideas. Read this article – The disturbing junk science of craniometry is enjoying a resurgence. Should we be worried that the technology of facial recognition relies on these outdated ideas?
Please leave at least three comments. One is your original contribution. And two comments are you replies to your classmates. Deadline: 10/8/23
Data increases the potential for identity theft, stalking, and harassment Unintended passwords and credit card info faces cannot easily be changed but there’s also a chance of hackers getting into databases that contain facial features used by many such as banks and police departments. Criminals have the ability to use this and commit identity fraud, harassment ( once again), or stalk their victims!
Dear Veyla, I agree that hackers can get info from banks and police departments. Identity fraud is scary nowadays and it is the databases that need to be protected. Great job!
I also believe that technology can create vulnerability in our society, We use technology almost every day and it’s still continuing to evolve every year. So if it’s still upgrading then cyber crimes are also becoming more difficult to resolve.
Damn, that is right Veyla that data does indeed increase the potential of identity theft. Not only is it already an uprising issue, it can continue to steady increase with that data available.
I agree Veyla, I know many people who have gotten there credit card information stolen and purchases made with the card. It is insane how hackers have learned how to utilize technology.
Hi Veyla, you’re highlighting a critical issue. The vulnerability of personal data in facial recognition systems, not only poses risks of identity theft and stalking but also the importance of robust security measures to protect against potential breaches and misuse.
Having facial recognition technology based on outdated ideas can be concerning because hackers and scammers are more advanced with their technology so they can use your facial rec To gain access to your bank account, private information, and etc.
Hey Abigail, I agree that nowadays there are so many hackers and scammers today since technology is so advanced. Also, back then technology was not as advanced as today. They can use your face and try to morph it to get it unlocked from your private information. For example, the hacker can print a picture they found of you online or on social media and try to use it to unlock your info with your picture.
I believe we should definitely be worried that facial recognition relies on these outdated ideas such as craniometry. The resurgence of these pseudo-scientific concepts in facial recognition systems raises the concerns of misidentification of individuals based on their skin color and other physical characteristics. Its reliance on facial symmetry and skull shapes to categorize faces within data and feeds to the bias problem in training data all while not being scientifically valid, hence the name pseudoscience .
I agree we should be worried and I like how your use of vocabulary was used in your sentence. “Pseudoscientific.” Then you explained what it means. Great job.
Hello Jamal I agree with what you said I also stated the biases that facial recognition creates. I don’t think this technology should be relied on as well.
Hi Jamel ,
I agree that a lot of the worry aims to race with the facial recognition. It is really scary that we have question our safety with technology as it advances. It is aware of the pro and cons especially in tech in our modern day.
Hello Jamal,
Nice post. I like how you used pseudo-science in your discussion. Yes, I agree with you that these practices would harm many people just because they resemble someone deemed “criminal-looking.” We need a change in this system to see ethical justice in society.
I think we should be worried about the technology of facial recognition relying on these outdated ideas because since nowadays everything is technology it is easy for people to hack and find information that is good with technology. Faces, unlike passwords and credit card numbers, cannot be simply changed, therefore data breaches involving facial recognition data enhance the risk of identity theft, stalking, and harassment. To perpetrate identity fraud, they can gather people’s private information, such as pictures and videos taken via facial scans and kept in databases. With this knowledge, a thief may open bank accounts or credit cards in the victim’s name, or even use the victim’s identity to commit crimes. Low image quality or bad lighting can affect facial recognition systems. Due to obstructed camera angles, the data may not match the subject’s nodal points, and this results in an error when the database cannot verify that matching faceprints exist.
Hi Alyssa I’m agree with you specially when you say “Technology is easy to hack” That is a real issue that we are facing on the humanity
Hi Alyssa,
Transparency and accountability are key in developing and deploying facial recognition technology. Organizations should be clear about their data handling practices, how long they retain facial data, and who has access to it. Additionally, there should be mechanisms for individuals to opt out or request the deletion of their facial data. It is indeed possible for malicious actors to gather personal information and use it to commit identity fraud or other crimes. This emphasizes the need for robust security measures and strict regulations to ensure that facial recognition databases are not easily accessible or hackable.
In today’s digital age, it is no secret that the use of data has increased exponentially. However, this increase in data usage has also led to an increase in cybercrime, with identity theft, stalking, and harassment being among the most common types of offenses. When passwords and credit card information are unintentionally exposed, it becomes challenging to change them, and criminals can use this information to commit various forms of identity fraud, leading to financial loss and reputational damage.
Furthermore, the risk of hackers accessing databases containing facial features used by banks, police departments, and other organizations is a growing concern. Criminals can use this personal information to commit identity fraud, harassment, and stalking of their victims. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious with the personal information we share and ensure that our data is adequately protected from potential cyber threats. By taking appropriate measures to safeguard our data, we can prevent cybercriminals from exploiting our personal information and avoid becoming victims of cybercrime.
The way data works nowadays is very dangerous. As data increases the rate and succession of crimes like credit card theft, identity theft, personal information being leaked have also risen tremendously. It has gotten easier for hackers to get all this information and can now access information from banks. This data allows hackers to stalk, contain, and steals people information.
It is insane how hackers just have easy access to all of these people’s information. With even more data being available, it will only get worse.
Yes, I think we should be worried about the technology of facial recognition that relies on outdated ideas, The reason I say this is because the outdated ideas state that we are judged by our external images and internal bodies which are the size of our brain, skull and other facial features. These theories have inaccurate results which means that if we do rely on these old theories we will not get accurate results. In the article this type of technology is being used everywhere from police to employers, If it’s being used to determine if someone is good or bad it can lead to unfairness to certain groups of people who fit the description. Technology is a major tool used all around the world, and this can cause vulnerability in all people due to the rise of cyber hacking and other elements that play a part in cybercrimes.
Hi everyone,
The resurgence of craniometry, a discredited and racially biased pseudoscience that involves measuring cranial features to make spurious claims about intelligence and character, is indeed a concerning development. Craniometry has been widely discredited for its unscientific and discriminatory foundations. It has been used historically to support racist ideologies and practices, such as eugenics and scientific racism. Facial recognition technology, on the other hand, is a separate and distinct field that relies on computer algorithms to identify and verify individuals based on their facial features. While facial recognition technology doesn’t inherently rely on the ideas of craniometry, there are concerns about its potential misuse and bias. Facial recognition systems have been shown to have significant biases, particularly in their accuracy across different racial and gender groups. These biases can lead to false identifications and reinforce existing prejudices. For example, in the article “The 20th century is littered with examples of what happens when genetic determinism fuses with advances in technology. IBM has played a role in a number of these dark episodes. The company famously developed a system of punch cards that it leased to the Nazi regime, allowing the Nazis to identify and track the Jewish population. In South Africa, IBM was accused of creating a population tracking and classification system that placed every citizen into one of four racial categories and allowed the apartheid government to monitor the movements, employment opportunities, and healthcare of black South Africans.” The widespread use of facial recognition raises significant privacy concerns as it can be used for mass surveillance, tracking individuals without their consent, and infringing on personal freedoms. There are concerns about the potential for facial recognition technology to be used by law enforcement or other authorities in ways that infringe on civil rights, such as freedom of assembly and freedom from unwarranted surveillance. While facial recognition technology itself is not based on the ideas of craniometry, the concerns surrounding it are legitimate and should be addressed through appropriate regulation, oversight, and ethical considerations. It is essential to ensure that technology is developed and used in ways that respect human rights, mitigate biases, and safeguard against misuse.
Yes we should be worried that technology of facial recognition relies on these outdated ideas. We should be worried because it’s just stereotyping people based on their skull size, which just sounds ridiculous. Back in the days pseudo-scientist would claim white people being superior to black people just solely based on skull size. There needs to a revolution to facial technology. New technology is just plain racist. Having an error of 35% for darker skinned women. But only 1% error for lighter skinned men. Now they are trying to implement measurement of skulls and facial features. Not only is it outdated it is inaccurate to determining criminals.
Hello Antonio,
I agree with your sentiments on this discussion. Using these outdated systems is only going to lead to discriminatory practices. Revolution in facial technology should come and I think we would be the generation spearheading these policies.
Hi Antonio,
I really liked your response, however, one very alarming feature of facial recognition technology is brought up by your points. It is really concerning that the mistake rates vary so much depending on skin tone. The idea that technological gains can still be based on antiquated and prejudiced methods is depressing. Stereotyping people based on their facial features or the size of their skull is not only morally repugnant but also faulty science. These “pseudo-scientific” theories have historically been used to support negative perceptions and discriminatory practices, as you correctly pointed out. To ensure that face recognition technology is impartial and accurate, we do, in fact, need to completely rethink its deployment and design. Your observations highlight how urgent it is to deal with these problems.
Technology has advanced in society, and with that fact, we must think about our future. The facial recognition technology we have currently has dated systems. These systems have shown discriminatory practices that many law enforcement agencies utilize today. The current facial recognition systems have biased codes. The world today is highly diverse, and this technology does not acknowledge that. We use technology in every facet of society, and there is no escaping from it. What I believe is most important is that we accurately code these systems so that we do not have the issue of bias, privacy concerns, and, most importantly, being ethical to all parties involved. Technology is essential when used in an ethical setting.
Hi Khalid,
I agree I feel like we are so deep into technology it is inevitable, it will only get more advanced while making it more dangerous.
Hi Khalid,
I completely agree with your assessment. The swift progress of technology, particularly in domains like facial recognition, necessitates conscientious and moral coding and implementation. The fact that biases persist in even these vital systems is concerning. For many people, the consequences of these biases can change their entire lives, especially when they are used by law enforcement. You make a great point when you stress how crucial it is to code these systems precisely. Ensuring the impartiality and fairness of technology is increasingly important as we continue to incorporate it into our daily lives. I appreciate you bringing to light the significance of ethics in the application of these technologies.
Concerns over the data used for facial recognition and its use are well-founded. When used improperly, this kind of technology can strengthen social prejudices and support discrimination. However the main problem with facial recognition is not that it relies on antiquated theories like craniometry; rather, the main problem is that it occasionally reflects the prejudices of the society in which it is applied. In conclusion, there are substantial risks of bias and misapplication even though modern facial recognition technology may not be built on the fundamental principles of craniometry. It’s critical to approach the application and advancement of these technologies with prudence, moral accountability, and a dedication to dispelling implicit prejudices.
Hello Genesis, I agree with what you said. The technology still carries risks of bias, highlighting the importance of actively addressing implicit prejudices in its development and use.
Craniometry has been criticized for biased data due to its poor experimentation and data collection. Lombroso, the “mastermind” behind this theory didn’t do his proper studies to solidify these claims. Biology alone cannot determine an individual’s risk of becoming a criminal. It’s not a legit argument for this theory to be implemented into today’s technology. It’s a dangerous idea considering there would be individuals profiled to be high-risk offenders while others are subjected to be innocent. The idea would only cause chaos amongst the public. Not to mention the possible identity theft and fraud attacks. The best practice is to make technology safe and fair to and for the public without identity discrimination. Artificial intelligence is still in the beginning stages before it’s actually trusted by individuals who aren’t tech-savvy. The focus should be on keeping everyone safe and protected.
Should we be worried that the technology of facial recognition relies on these outdated ideas?
We should be worried about facial recognition because even though to helps authorities in situations, it can also be a bad thing for the community. With the help of AI, facial recognition can be combined with voice recognition to fake a person speaking and can cause someone to pretend to be a family member asking for private information or even requesting money.
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