How Many Times Was Your Face Scanned Today ?

If you live in a major city and commute daily, you might be surprised to learn just how often your face is scanned without you even realizing it. From public transit systems to the smartphone in your pocket, facial recognition technology is everywhere. But have you ever wondered just how many times your face gets captured in a single day? Let’s break it down.

Your Morning Commute: A Surveillance Story Imagine you’re starting your day, leaving your apartment, and heading to the subway station. As you walk through the streets, chances are, you’re passing multiple surveillance cameras. In cities like New York, London, or Tokyo, thousands of cameras are scattered across public spaces, constantly scanning for security purposes. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee or waiting for the crosswalk signal, your face is likely being recorded multiple times before you even step onto public transit. Once you’re in the subway station, the number of scans increases. Many modern transit systems use facial recognition for ticketing and security. You might not even notice the cameras positioned above turnstiles or on the platform, silently capturing images of every commuter. By the time you’ve reached your destination, your face may have been scanned over a dozen times, just during your morning commute.

At Work and Around Town Your day doesn’t stop there. If you work in an office with a security system that uses facial recognition for entry, that’s another scan added to the tally. As you walk to lunch, hit the gym, or run errands, more cameras from businesses, ATMs, and streetlights could be recording your movements. By the end of the workday, as you head back home, you’re retracing your steps and encountering the same network of surveillance systems that captured your face in the morning. It’s not unreasonable to estimate that, living in a major city, your face could be scanned 50 to 100 times a day, depending on your routine.

The Silent Photographer in Your Pocket Now, let’s talk about your phone. If you’re an iPhone user, specifically with a model that has Face ID, your face is being scanned more frequently than you might think. Every time you glance at your screen to unlock it, your phone’s front camera is scanning your face. Apple’s Face ID technology uses infrared and dot projection to create a 3D map of your face, a process that happens nearly instantly. But it doesn’t stop there. Your iPhone might also be capturing images of your face when you use apps like Snapchat or Instagram, which utilize the front camera for AR filters and facial tracking. Even Apple’s own privacy policy acknowledges that Face ID can be triggered by apps that require authentication or use facial data for features like animated emojis. While there’s no exact public data on how many times Face ID scans your face in a day, considering the average person unlocks their phone 80 times per day, it’s safe to say your face could be scanned dozens of times just by your phone alone. When you add that to the number of scans from your commute and daily activities, you’re looking at well over 100 facial scans in a single day.

Data Privacy and Ethical Concerns At Topboompop, we’re all about keeping it real with our Gen Z and Millennial audience, and the reality is that this constant scanning raises some serious privacy concerns. Every time your face is scanned, data is being collected and stored, often without your explicit consent. This data can be used for anything from targeted advertising to surveillance, and in some cases, it can even be sold to third parties. The lack of transparency and regulation around how this data is used is alarming. While some countries have implemented laws to protect citizens' biometric data, others are still catching up. In the U.S., for instance, there’s no federal law specifically regulating the use of facial recognition technology, leaving it up to states and cities to impose their own rules.

What Can You Do? As a digitally savvy generation, it’s crucial to stay informed and take steps to protect your privacy. Here are a few tips:

1. Limit Facial Recognition Use: Disable Face ID for apps that don’t really need it, and be mindful of which apps you grant camera access to.

2. Stay Updated on Privacy Laws: Know your rights when it comes to facial recognition technology in your area. 3. Demand Transparency: Support policies and companies that prioritize privacy and ethical data use.

So, how many times has your face been scanned today? If you’re like most people living in a big city, the answer is probably more than you’d expect. With surveillance cameras on every corner and your phone constantly tracking your face, the number adds up quickly. At Topboompop, we believe in empowering you to understand the implications of this technology and make informed choices about your digital privacy. Stay woke, stay secure, and always question how your data is being used.