Keeping an eagle eye on the photographs and videos to claw on the targeted match from a database of faces, Facial recognition is undeniably a significant component of security strategy.

This most powerful surveillance tool of biometric security is a software that detects a captured face from video or photo by autofocusing, analyses the geometry of the face that is the distance between the facial features of eyes, nose, forehead, chin and mouth and then converts them into a string of points called faceprint or facial signature. The facial signature is compared with a database of faces to confirm the identity of the person in the photograph or video. Feeding on machine learning algorithms that detect, analyze, store the facial features as data and match them with preexisting databases, the Facial recognition system recognizes the human face through technology. With the potential to hold a strong position in the areas of commercial application from unlocking phones to public security and from improving customer experiences in various industries to marketing and advertising, the technology of Facial recognition is over the length and breadth of the digital province.

Having mastered the skills of identifying faces from millions of photographs and videos through sources like CCTV cameras, smartphones and social media, will the hot topic of Facial recognition remains controversial in terms of privacy and regulation policies.

- MADHAVI DESAI