Modern technology is developing at a breakneck pace. Surely many have heard about the introduction of Face-ID in smartphones of the new generation. We suggest figuring out why this function is needed and whether it is dangerous.

Using a face scanner

Identification systems quietly enter our lives. Face scanners have long been used in the banking system, as well as by law enforcement agencies in most developed countries. In addition, users of IPhone models, starting in 2017, have probably already appreciated the capabilities of a portable scanner. Some competing manufacturers of Android devices also release models with face recognition. Face-ID replaces passwords, graphic keys and is considered the best smartphone protection to date.

The most widespread distribution of face scanners can be observed in progressive China. Here, the new technology is being tested and implemented at a tremendous speed. In the future, it is planned to replace the majority of security and trade workers with scanners, and also use them to facilitate online purchases and as assistance in catching criminals by law enforcement agencies.

The rest of the world is a bit behind China in technological terms, but in many areas its experience is being adopted. It is predicted that the use of face scanners will reach enormous proportions and facilitate many areas of life.

When paying for purchases

Alipay's global trading platform Alibaba has already implemented technology to pay for purchases through face identification. At the same time, Google Pay developers are in no hurry to use the innovation, since they consider modern cameras to be incomplete.

In several shopping centers in China, a face reading system has been tested when handing over and receiving personal items to lockers. The experiment proved the convenience of this innovation, so face scanners plan to introduce further. It is possible that in the near future such devices will even replace cashiers.

In online banks

The use of face-identification in the financial system greatly facilitates online banking. So, in order to make purchases, transfers, control over accounts in the future, card numbers and passwords are not required. Today, many world banks, as well as some branches in Russia, use face scanners for personalization.

CCTV in public places

In Beijing, similar cameras are already used in public places. Thus, it is possible to quickly find intruders in a crowd of passers-by. Scanners are able to recognize up to 200 people who are compared with the database of photographs of criminals.

One of the largest universities in Beijing is actively introducing a face scan system. In order for students to enter the territory of the hostels, it is enough to go through a face scan and hold a pass card. But that's not all. If a student has forgotten a card, he can name the last four digits of its number, and the system considers this information by voice. It has already been noted that such an innovation for a campus with a population of more than 18 thousand greatly facilitated the work of security.

Recently, face scanners have been used in large-scale sporting events. This trend is spreading all over the world, and already now greatly facilitates the work of law enforcement agencies.

In the near future, the Russian police will be equipped with a face scanning system, and in the future, each policeman will have at his disposal special glasses for identifying persons.

Face scanner problems, can it be dangerous

Face scanners are still not versatile enough. It is noted that systems may not confirm their identity after a radical change in image or haircut. In addition, most modern scanners perceive a two-dimensional image, which means they are easily fooled by bringing a photograph to the camera.

With regard to security, the creators of the devices note that their use does not pose a greater danger than creating a selfie on the camera of their smartphone.

Scanners for face recognition are actively entering our lives, facilitating financial management, shopping, and also quietly guarding against intruders. Further developments are in the direction of creating 3D scanners. This feature is already being tested in some smartphones, and separate specialized cameras are used to create three-dimensional models of faces in medicine and prosthetics.