Privacy in the Age of AI: Short Analysis of Instagram's Facial Recognition

 No wonder most common folks out there do not particularly like Artificial Intelligence. 

 
 

Though it has just started automating work that needed little but permanent manual labor, it is in its nascent stage to become an existential threat to humanity in the next 25-30 years. 

 
 

Allow me to elaborate with a real-life example. 

 
 

In recent years, Instagram, a famous social media platform billions of people use worldwide, has increasingly relied on biometric data. 

 
 

For those who understand, biometric data refers to unique physical characteristics that can be used to identify an individual, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and voice recognition. 

 
 

While this technology can provide a seamless user experience, it concerns data privacy and consent. And Instagram made a rookie mistake that backfired. 

 
 

2019 Instagram Unethical Trial 

 
 

One of the most controversial uses of biometric data on Instagram is facial recognition technology. In 2019, Instagram began testing a new feature that used facial recognition to verify user identities. 

 
 

This feature was intended to prevent account impersonation, but many users were uncomfortable with the idea of their facial data being stored and analyzed by Instagram. 

 
 

After paying $650 million in fines to resolve a complaint alleging unlawful use of facial-recognition data, Meta, then called Facebook, faced a severe new lawsuit in 2020 that claimed its subsidiary, Instagram, similarly collects biometric data without user authorization. 

 
 

As per the complaint in the litigation, more than 100 million Instagram users' biometric data is collected, stored, and used for financial gain by the firm without their knowledge or consent. 

 
 

According to the Lawsuit, submitted on Monday in California by Kelly Whalen, Instagram's face-tagging feature employs facial recognition to build "face templates" that are later kept in Facebook databases.  

 
 

Even if the persons in the pictures don't have Instagram accounts themselves, Kelly claims that Instagram uses this technique automatically and without asking anyone's permission or consent. 

 
 

Bloomberg claims the practice is against state privacy legislation prohibiting the unlicensed acquisition of biometric information. In cases of unauthorized acquisition and transmission of biometric data, local legislation in California allows for punitive fines of up to $1,000 per infringement, with a maximum of $5,000, if the jury decides that the accused firm acted willfully or recklessly. 

 
 

According to privacy campaigners and advocates, facial recognition technology is especially worrisome since it may monitor people in public places without their knowledge or agreement. 

 
 

This raises significant concerns about how social media networks regulate user behavior and violate individuals' privacy rights. 

 
 

Tech giants like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon and other consumer-centric brands like Sephora have come under fire for unlawfully collecting data through dark cookie banner experience that psychologically forces customers to accept cookies on their devices or through other data tracking technologies. 

 
 

Using biometric information in targeted advertising is a different topic of concern. Facebook, the parent company of Instagram, has come under fire for exploiting biometric data in advertising. Some experts have expressed concern about using facial recognition to target users with particular adverts based on their emotions or other private information. 

 
 

Even wrong user practice through cookie banner that actually must not allow third-party cookies as per GDPR and other data privacy laws is forcefully deployed; that is further processed to make user profiles and targeted ads. 

 
 

The security of biometric data on Instagram is another issue. In contrast to passwords or other authentication methods, biometric data is difficult to alter after it has been hacked. The security and privacy of a person could be seriously compromised if their biometric information is stolen or misused. 

 
 

Despite these concerns, there are some potential benefits to using biometric data on Instagram. For example, facial recognition technology could help individuals with visual impairments navigate the platform more efficiently. It could also help prevent cyberbullying by identifying users who engage in harassing behavior. 

 
 

Instagram has implemented several privacy protection measures in response to these worries. Users can turn off facial recognition technology, for instance, in their settings. In addition, Instagram has been open about how it uses biometric data and has informed users of how their data is gathered and used. 

 
 

Some experts contend that more steps must be taken to safeguard user privacy and consent because these current safeguards are insufficient.  

 
 

They advocate requiring Instagram to get users' explicit agreement before collecting biometric data and mandating that it make clear how this data is utilized and shared with outside parties. This can be outlined in a detailed Privacy Policy or with a simple, easy-to-understand cookie banner or in-app consent. 

 
 

Conclusion: Using biometric data on Instagram raises serious concerns about privacy and consent. While this technology has potential benefits, users must be fully informed about how their data is being collected and used and that they can opt out of these features. Social media platforms are responsible for protecting user privacy and ensuring their use of biometric data is transparent and ethical. 

 
 

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