Police should be allowed to use facial recognition to investigate specific crimes and to protect the public at major events, according to the first national survey of the public's attitude to the technology. However, they are opposed to unrestricted use while two thirds (65 percent) of the public believe an absolute ban on the police would be wrong, Up to 70 percent backed its use to analyse faces on CCTV (闭路电视) to catch a suspect in an investigation or in day-to-day policing to prevent crime at events such as football matches or carnivals, The technology enables police to scan crowds and pick out faces that match huge databases of suspects.
There is, however, far less tolerance of its use by private (私人的) companies, whether to monitor shoppers or workers, or in schools if it was to be used to track children's behaviour or expressions. By a majority of almost two to one, the public believes that organizations should seek the permission of people before they start using facial recognition. Most also want a pause on any further use of the technology until publicly-agreed guidelines are in place on when and where it should be used.
More than half (55 percent) of the public believe the Government should limit police use of facial recognition to criminal investigations, though half also saw it as no different to taking photographs or using CCTV. Of those who were comfortable with its use, 80 percent said it was because it was “beneficial for the security of society”,
There was also a majority in favour of the technology where there was personal benefit, with 54 percent backing its use to unlock a smartphone by recognizing an owner’s face and with passport checks at airports where it can speed up queues.
【小题1】Why is the technology of facial recognition significant to the police?| A．It helps them better investigate criminal cases. |
| B．It is a good way to control private companies. |
| C．It can recognize and catch suspects. |
| D．It mainly gets fully support from all walks of life. |
| A．It is believed to go against publicly-agreed guidelines. |
| B．It is helpful to track students’ behavior at home. |
| C．It is a potential threat to privacy. |
| D．It is popular among shoppers, workers and private companies. |
| A．It should be banned totally. |
| B．It should be open to police undoubtedly. |
| C．It is a double-edged sword. |
| D．It benefits the society in every aspect. |
| A．Should the police free use facial recognition? |
| B．Should facial recognition be applied to airports? |
| C．Should facial recognition protect the privacy of the public? |
| D．Should private companies use facial recognition without limit? |
