Video Cameras With Facial Recognition: A Solution or a Problem?

There is little doubt that American consumers have latched onto the idea of home video surveillance. Both wired and wireless cameras are more affordable than ever. So much so that the market was valued at nearly $10 billion in 2024, with growth expected to reach $37.5 billion by 2034. Leading the way in terms of new technology are cameras boasting facial recognition capabilities.

At first, having a camera that is able to distinguish between family members and complete strangers seems like an attractive proposition. But when you dig a little deeper, facial recognition raises a lot of red flags. It is enough to make me wonder whether facial recognition-equipped home security cameras are more of a problem than a solution.

Facial Recognition Basics

If you are not familiar with facial recognition, it is a simple enough principle to understand. Facial recognition software analyzes either video or still pictures by mapping faces using specific landmarks. These are landmarks that tend to be somewhat unique. When all the landmarks are combined, they create a digital map that is individualized to the associated face.

Each mapped face is then stored in a database. When a camera is exposed to a face in the future, it goes through the same mapping procedure and compares the results against those already in the database. In essence, a camera can then distinguish between identified and unidentified faces.

In a home security setting, the practical implications are obvious. An entire family could have its faces mapped and stored. The system instantly recognizes any single family member caught on camera. There is no need to trigger an alarm. But if the camera picks up a face that is not recognized, an alert can be triggered.

Facial Recognition’s Key Benefits

Facial recognition’s big promise is that of accurately identifying specific people. The technology allows for turning raw video into searchable, identity-based records. It theoretically improves crime prevention by alerting homeowners or remote monitoring personnel to strangers in the vicinity.

Other key benefits include:

• Fewer false alarms and smarter alerts.
• Stronger deterrence through increased investigative value.
• Convenience and automation in terms of frictionless access.

To that last point, consider a home security system set up to allow automatic access based on identity. Facial recognition software would identify a homeowner as he approaches the door. Once identification is made, the door is automatically unlocked. On the other hand, the door remains locked if a stranger approaches.

Privacy and Ethical Concerns

Facial recognition shows great potential for so many applications. And yet, there is significant cause for concern. The technology carries with it privacy and ethical concerns. Not only that, but some of the concerns are also quite serious. At the top of the list is the intrusion on privacy.

Facial recognition technology is identity-agnostic. In other words, it analyzes and maps every face that comes into view regardless of who that face belongs to. Does a homeowner have the right to gather and store information on a visitor who has not provided consent? Can a person’s facial map be shared with others without consent or notification?

A lack of consent is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more:

• Biometric Data Risks – Facial mapping data is biometric data. As such, it is also permanent. Think of it this way: you cannot change what your face looks like. So the data falling into the wrong hands opens the door to all sorts of problems, including stalking, identity theft, and other forms of identity-related abuse.

• Surveillance Normalization – There are those already concerned about the normalization of video surveillance in modern society. They equate so many video cameras in public spaces to the infamous ‘Big Brother’ concept. Facial recognition only adds to the concern.

The icing on the cake is that facial recognition is not perfect. It will never be. Therefore, it is always possible that inaccurate mapping data will lead to incorrect identification. That can be a problem for criminal investigations. It could also open the door to government abuse.

Video Surveillance Without It

If there is any good news in all of this, it is the fact that homeowners can get the benefits of video surveillance without having to deal with facial recognition. No one is forced to purchase a facial recognition-equipped camera. And in fact, home security dealers like Vivint offer plenty of cameras without the technology.

Vivint says that even basic video surveillance cameras act as effective deterrents. They collect video evidence that can be used for both investigative and prosecutorial purposes. Basic cameras can even be leveraged to keep an eye on the kids or pay attention to pets during the workday. There is no need to jump into advanced technology if a homeowner is concerned about it.

It Has Its Limitations, Too

It is also important to note that facial recognition technology has its limitations. For instance, accuracy depends a lot on environmental conditions. Everything from lighting to distance to camera angle can affect how accurately a face is mapped.

Facial recognition algorithms are also subject to different error rates. This is because algorithms are created by humans who go into the creative process with their own inherent biases.

From a legal standpoint, there are limits on biometric data and how it can be gathered, stored, and utilized. Homeowners choosing to install cameras with the technology are ultimately responsible for making sure they are complying with the law. Compliance is not as easy as installing a camera and forgetting about it.

A Technology We Don’t Necessarily Need

Personally, I consider facial recognition technology more of a problem than a solution. At the very least, it is technology we do not need. The little bit of convenience it adds to home security does not justify invading one’s privacy and risking potentially sensitive data falling into the wrong hands. The benefits we gain do not outweigh the risks the technology poses. With that in mind, I don’t plan on purchasing facial recognition-equipped cameras – ever.