Technology firms are creating software that can identify a person by the shape of their chin or nose. Installed in a pair of sunglasses, it could save you from a big social faux par. Imagine being approached in the street by a familiar face, but can't for the life of you remember their name. Don't worry, your sunglasses will scan a large database of the human population and before you know it, a match will appear in front of your eyes.
-Oh it's Jenny Smith, I haven't seen you in ages."
Some may say this is going a little too far into our world of privacy. So where does the fine line between our lack of privacy and our own security end, or begin?
I recently heard from some visitors to Sydney that a number of our cabs have more than one camera installed in them, some with up to five. This news came as quite a shock because as a Sydney-sider I had no idea I was being photographed every time I stepped into a taxi. Did you?
It's alright if someone asks to take a peak into your bedroom, but finding out after the fact that someone's been in your room can make you a little uneasy. At least if you're asked you can do a quick spot check before they enter.
However, in some cases you can make exceptions. Some years ago there was a stint of assaults on taxi drivers in Sydney, which bought about a law, enforcing cabs to install protective shields around drivers to beef up security. Not only were those screens a hindrance to both the driver and the passenger in terms of communication, they also raised questions about how effective they really are.
Now, it seems Sydney cabs are replacing the widely unpopular screens with a more effective means of security -- cameras. A far improved and less cumbersome approach I would say, but at what cost to our privacy?
Well that's the point really, when it comes to security I don't mind a bunch of cameras checking me out each time I travel. And if I'm protected for that trip as well, I think it's worth a little "knowing" smile directed at your covert onlooker.
