U.S. Senator Raises Questions About Security and Privacy of Face ID

day after apple unveiled new flagship iphone x equipped facial recognition system, united states senator al franken (d-mn), member of senate judiciary committee on privacy, technology, , law, sent letter [pdf] apple ceo tim cook questions on privacy , security of face id feature.

face id designed take 3d face scan determines structure of person's face , transforms mathematical model device authentication , unlocking purposes. apple has said face id protected same secure enclave keeps touch id data safe, , processing takes place on device no data uploaded cloud. furthermore, apple says face id can't fooled photo or mask.

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in letter, franken raises concerns how apple plans use facial recognition data in future, diversity of training, how apple respond law enforcement requests face id data or face id system, , if might fooled photo or mask.

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since announcement, however, reporters, advocates, , iphone users have raised concerns how face id impact americans' fundamental right privacy, speculated on ways in apple use faceprint data in future, , questioned quality , security of technology.

example, has been reported many facial recognition systems have higher rate of error when tested accuracy in identifying people of color, may explained variety of factors, including lack of diversity in faces used train system. furthermore, have expressed concern system fooled, , device unlocked, photo or mask of owner of device.

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franken asks cook respond series of 10 questions, many of have been addressed apple. among the questions:

- can apple extract face id data device, apple ever store face id data remotely, , can apple confirm has no plans use faceprint data purposes other face id?

- did 1 billion images used train face id come from, , steps did company take ensure system trained on diverse set of faces?

- face id perpetually search face, , apple locally retain raw photos of faces used unlock device? apple retain faceprints of individuals other owner of device?

- safeguard has apple implemented prevent unlocking of iphone x when other owner holds device owners face? how distinguish user's face photo or mask?

- how apple respond law enforcement requests access apple's faceprint data or face id system itself?

when touch id first announced new feature in iphone 5s, franken sent cook similar letter asking clarification on how touch id feature works.

franken asks tim cook respond of face id questions october 13, 2017. apple not obligated respond not subpoena, company cooperate request information.

article link: u.s. senator raises questions security , privacy of face id

 

leave stuart smalley go after apple this.

 

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