This website was created for a school research project. Citizens for Privacy and Security is a fictional organization developed for educational purposes only.
Balancing Privacy and Security with the Use of Facial Recognition Technology
Each day, millions of people walk the city streets under the watchful eye of unseen cameras, unknowingly surrendering their privacy to Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). From airport security and schools to our cities sidewalks they are now home to Facial Recognition Technology, as law enforcement looks new ways to combat crime and enhance public safety.
History and Current Concerns
Early Biometrics
Although biometric tracking and identification, such as fingerprinting, date back over a century, modern facial recognition originated from computer vision research in the mid-to-late twentieth century.
Post-9/11 Expansion
The Government interest in FRT soared after the 9/11 attacks. It was presented as a powerful tool capable of helping prevent terrorism and protect public safety by being able to "help identify suspects quickly, reduce investigative costs, and improve security at borders".
Technological Improvements
Over time, hardware improvements and expanded datasets helped lower error rates, turning FRT from an experimental approach into a practical solution for matching travelers against watchlists.
Widespread Adoption
Over time, what started as narrow tests in airports has expanded to scanning entire city blocks and major public events, with minimal regulatory oversight.
The unregulated deployment of FRT in public spaces introduces immediate concerns of false positives: cases where an innocent person is wrongly flagged as a person that is on a watchlist. As technology increases the odds of this happening seem to be unlikely, but even just one error can disrupt and spiral a person's life. From a detention at airport security to a wrongful arrest on city streets, such misidentification like these can cause psychological distress, financial strain, and lasting reputational harm.
Repercussions of Unchecked Surveillance
Social Withdrawal
People may avoid public gatherings or civic engagement when constantly watched.
Data Security Risks
Facial databases, if breached, can expose individuals to identity theft or misuse.
Algorithmic Bias
Facial recognition systems may misidentify people from certain demographic groups more often.
Privacy Invasion
Constant monitoring occurs often without clear consent, eroding trust and autonomy.
Perpetual Watchfulness
A sense of being monitored at all times discourages open discussion and self-expression in public life.
Civic Cohesion
Long-term surveillance undermines community bonds and reduces civic participation.
The chart below illustrates the relative impact of key negative effects associated with widespread, unregulated facial recognition surveillance in public spaces.
Proposed Solutions and Regulatory Framework
Short-Term Band-aid Fixes
Mandatory training, data-retention limits, and stricter approvals for real-time facial recognition.
Oversight & Auditing
Regular independent audits, clarity on system limitations, and risk assessment to protect civil liberties.
Judicial & Public Oversight
Open hearings, transparent laws, and judicial warrants to ensure fair and accountable use of FRT.
Long-Term Regulatory Safeguards
Clear statutes, robust data protection, penalties for misuse, and bias testing to uphold rights and security.
About Citizens for Privacy and Security
Who We Are
A non-partisan advocacy group uniting all citizens and privacy advocates since 2025.
Our Mission
Promoting responsible innovation that respects privacy and preserves democratic values.
What We Do
Ensuring technological progress serves humanity without compromising fundamental rights.
Get Involved
Join us to help shape oversight that balances security with personal freedom.
Sources / Work Cited
Almeida, Denise, et al. "The Ethics of Facial Recognition Technologies, Surveillance, and Accountability in an Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Analysis of US, EU, and UK Regulatory Frameworks." AI And Ethics, vol. 2, no. 3, July 2021, pp. 377–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-021-00077-w.
"GAO-24-107372 Facial Recognition Technology." U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, report, U.S. Government Accountability Office, 8 Mar. 2024, www.gao.gov/assets/d24107372
Lynch, Nessa. "Facial Recognition Technology in Policing and Security—Case Studies in Regulation." Laws, vol. 13, no. 3, June 2024, p. 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13030035.
Wang, Xukang, et al. "Beyond Surveillance: Privacy, Ethics, and Regulations in Face Recognition Technology." Frontiers in Big Data, vol. 7, July 2024, https://doi.org/10.3389/fdata.2024.1337465.