Facial Recognition Web Search: Protecting Yourself and Your Brand Online
This article discusses facial recognition web search technology and ways to protect your image online.
Today, reverse image search tools and facial recognition algorithms make your photo as easy to search for online as your name. Anyone can perform a photo upload to Google and find the same or similar images across the web.
On the one hand, face-finder technology is convenient and powerful for identifying unknown individuals. On the other hand, identity thieves and other cybercriminals can take advantage of innocent people using face recognition software.
In both your daily life and professional setting, understanding the implications of face recognition software is key to protecting yourself online and ensuring that your online brand image is represented correctly.
We offer public safety services, such as monitoring and removal of your personal information online. Contact us today at 866-349-0130 to learn more.
What Is Facial Recognition Search Technology?
Facial recognition web search technology uses AI and biometric analysis to identity people by scanning facial features. Instead of typing a person’s name into Google to find information about them, you can upload their photo and use face search tools to find out more about them.
Here’s how facial recognition web search technology works on the web:
- Face Mapping: Online software analyzes the photo you upload, then maps unique facial features and points. For example, the software will map the jawline’s shape, the nose’s contours and how much distance there is between the eyes.
- Database Search: Once mapped, facial features are compared against other images on the web. Face-recognition databases are crawled, as are news articles, social media sites and other websites.
- Face Matching: When the software finds the same face or a similar face (or faces), you’ll get results with links to online media, profiles and websites where those images appear.
Advanced technology for matching faces from images is commonly used in law enforcement and security industries. It may also be used by professional marketers to create targeted campaigns.
The biggest benefit of face search tools is that they make it possible to identity and verify people online, even if you don’t know their name. Here’s how it can be used for positive results:
- Businesses can confirm a person’s identity to prevent fraud.
- Law enforcement can track down a missing person.
- Anyone can use a face search tool to find other instances of their image online.
On the other hand, though, reverse face search technology raises concerns about consent, privacy and the ability to control your online reputation.
Our internet privacy experts will protect you from identity theft, phishing attacks and other online threats. Call us at 866-349-0130 for more information.
How Do Cybercriminals Use Face Recognition Technology Against Users?
Reverse image search tools and face search software make it easy for cybercriminals to find and track people online, which can lead to extortion, fraud, harassment or impersonation. These types of crimes can happen quickly, and they’re harmful to both your privacy and your reputation.
Here are just a few ways that cybercriminals abuse facial recognition search software:
- Account Takeovers: Cybercriminals can use your photos to bypass identity checks online or create fake IDs.
- Blackmail or Extortion: Your embarrassing or sensitive photos are useful tools to cybercriminals. They can be used to threaten you unless you comply with their demands, like paying a hefty fee.
- Deepfakes: Your photos can be used to create deepfake media and spread damaging information about you.
- Doxxing or Online Stalking: Public photos of you can be linked to an address, social profile or workplace and used to harass you or people you know.
- Impersonation: When cybercriminals can match your face to your social profiles, they can create fake accounts that are used to apply for services or scam people you know.
- Phishing: Face search tools can show attackers where you spend your time online. From there, they can create targeted and convincing phishing messages using information from your personal life.
- Physical Stalking: Your online photos can create a map of your activity over time. This can be used to reveal your regular routines, which makes in-person stalking and theft easier for criminals.
We work on behalf of our clients to monitor their online data and remove personal information from the internet. Give us a call at 866-349-0130 to learn more.
How To Reduce the Risks of Face Search Technology
The risks of face search tools and facial recognition web search technology are serious. Luckily, there are many ways to protect your personal information and reputation online. The following proactive steps can limit the amount of information that’s shared online and make it more difficult for bad actors to find online identities.
Audit Your Online Presence
Want to know what others find when they upload photos of you? Run a reverse image search on yourself to discover information you didn’t even know was online.
Use your key photos — like headshots and profile pictures you have in several places — to see what information is floating around online. Then, remove content (either yourself or by requesting removal) wherever you don’t want your information to exist.
Update Your Social Media Profiles and Settings
Go through your social media profiles to remove any information that could be used against you. Also, update your social media settings to limit profile visibility, discourage other people from tagging you, and delete geotags that give away your location and routine.
Replace Your Profile Pictures
Go through the online profiles you’re going to keep and update your profile photos. Use headshots that don’t have any identifying features, like location giveaways or workplace logos.
It’s also smart to add watermarks to your public images. This makes it more difficult for bad actors to use those images for deepfakes or to create fake profiles.
Continuously Monitor Your Information Online
Set up Google Alerts for your name so you’re alerted as soon as new information shows up about you online. Also, regularly run a reverse image search on your most-used photos.
If you find content that you want removed, take screenshots, save URLs and record timestamps. Having this information will make it easier to request removal and escalate the issue if necessary.
Since this can become a lot of work, you can always hire an online reputation management (ORM) team to handle online monitoring for you. Get started for free with a quick personal data scan.
Request Content Takedowns
When you come across information that you need removed, contact the site owner to ask that they take it down. Some websites have opt-out steps to follow, which can streamline the process. Depending on the situation, you may have to cite legal guidelines, like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Get Law Enforcement Involved
If your image content is being used for criminal activity, like extortion, stalking or making threats, you’ll want to contact law enforcement. You may also opt to hire a lawyer who can help exercise your privacy rights and send compelling cease-and-desist letters to publishers of your images.
Repair Your Digital Reputation
If your likeness has been used to spread falsehoods online, you’ll need a reputation repair plan. Preparing messaging, sharing positive content from your verified accounts, and tactfully spreading your personal or professional brand message are key to regaining control of your online reputation.
Contact the Professionals at Internet Privacy
At InternetPrivacy.com, we offer data removal services to get rid of your personal images and information to help you protect your identity online. Our services include deep web scans, data removal, ongoing monitoring and detailed reporting.
You deserve to protect your personal and sensitive information online. To keep it from getting into the wrong hands, you can trust our decade-plus of experience defending individuals and businesses on the internet.
To speak with an expert, contact us at 866-349-0130 today.
