Facial recognition technology (FRT) is no longer a futuristic concept; it has become an integral part of modern security infrastructure, already ubiquitous in airports and stadiums across the United States.
The technology’s expansion, however, is facing a new frontier—children. Traditionally, FRT has been designed for adult faces, leaving a significant gap in its application to minors.
Yet, in a recent push under the guise of border security, there is a growing movement to extend this surveillance capability to children, raising significant concerns about privacy and government overreach.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
― George Orwell, 1984 pic.twitter.com/aLHBx2z91c
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2024
The MIT Technology Review, in an extensive report, highlighted the technical challenges associated with applying FRT to children, noting that the scarcity of high-quality datasets of children’s faces has been a major barrier. “Facial recognition technology (FRT) has traditionally not been applied to children,” the report noted, “largely because training data sets of real children’s faces are few and far between, and consist of either low-quality images drawn from the internet or small sample sizes with little diversity.” These limitations underscore the ethical concerns surrounding privacy and consent when it comes to minors.
The United Kingdom government is threatening to use the full force of the law, including extradition, to imprison Americans for what they post on social media.
This is straight out of 1984.
Anyone want to remind this clown what happened in 1776? pic.twitter.com/M9KM0g6t03
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) August 9, 2024
Yet, despite these challenges, there is a growing push to integrate children into the surveillance apparatus, particularly in the context of border security. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been at the forefront of implementing FRT at border crossings, with the aim of enhancing national security. However, this initiative has sparked fears that the government is paving the way for a more pervasive surveillance state, one that could have far-reaching implications for civil liberties.
For conservatives, the extension of FRT to children represents a troubling escalation of government surveillance. While national security is undoubtedly a priority, the potential for abuse of such technology cannot be overlooked. The deployment of FRT on minors, especially under the banner of border security, could set a dangerous precedent, where the state’s ability to track and monitor individuals from birth becomes normalized. This raises fundamental questions about the balance between security and freedom, a balance that many believe is tipping too far in favor of government control.
Moreover, the integration of FRT into border security operations also reflects a broader trend toward the normalization of surveillance in everyday life. What begins as a tool for border control could easily extend to other areas of public life, such as schools, playgrounds, and even private homes. The potential for such technology to be misused by authoritarian governments, or even by a future administration with less respect for civil liberties, is a real and present danger.
The expansion of FRT to children is indicative of a broader liberal agenda to erode individual freedoms in the name of security. The left’s embrace of expansive government power, particularly in the realm of surveillance, is seen as an affront to the constitutional principles of limited government and personal liberty. By introducing FRT for children, the government risks creating a society where every citizen, from infancy, is subject to constant monitoring and control.
The debate over FRT also raises questions about the role of technology in modern governance. While technological advancements have undoubtedly brought about many benefits, they have also given rise to new challenges, particularly in the area of privacy. The conservative viewpoint stresses the need for a cautious approach to technology, one that respects individual rights and freedoms. The potential for FRT to be used as a tool of government overreach is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked technological power.
As the government continues to push the boundaries of surveillance in the name of security, it is crucial to remain vigilant in defending the rights and freedoms that form the foundation of American society. The deployment of FRT for children at the border may seem like a small step, but it could have profound implications for the future of civil liberties in the United States. The challenge for conservatives is to ensure that the government’s quest for security does not come at the expense of the freedoms that make America exceptional.
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Eric Thompson