FTC Issues Privacy Guidelines for Facial Recognition Tech

Recommendations for companies, of course, not the government

The Federal Trade Commission issued a report Oct. 23 that suggested best practices for companies using facial recognition technology, including a focus on how it should be used responsibly by social networking sites.

According to the FTC, facial recognition technologies are being used in a number of ways, from online social networks to mobile applications. The technology has a number of uses. Facebook for example, has used facial recognition technology as part of its Tag Suggest feature, which the company has agreed to scrap in Europe in the name of complying with government regulations.  The feature was taken offline for users everywhere months ago so that it could be made more efficient.