Seoul: The Korean government has come under fire for its recent decision to test a new facial recognition technology policy aimed at smartphone users. Beginning December 23, telecom companies have been mandated to photograph customers and compare those images with identification card photos before activating new smartphones. This measure, introduced by the Ministry of Science and ICT, is slated for official implementation on March 23 next year, following a three-month trial period.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry claims this policy is part of an effort to combat crime, particularly the use of burner phones by criminals due to their untraceable nature. Facial recognition is anticipated to curb such misuse. However, this decision has ignited controversy due to the cybersecurity risks associated with facial recognition technology. The system analyzes unique facial features and matches them with stored images in a database, which, like any digital database, is susceptible to breaches. If compromised, individuals' identities could be exposed and misused.
Public opposition has been mounting, with a petition on the National Assembly's website calling for a ban on facial recognition technology. Posted on December 18, just before the trial's commencement, the petition had garnered over 52,000 signatures by Monday afternoon. The petitioner argues that the policy threatens citizens' rights to control their personal data and undermines privacy, urging the government to abandon the plan.
In response to the backlash, the science ministry has assured that personal data would be handled securely. During a December 24 policy briefing, the ministry stated that facial images used for verification would be deleted immediately after confirming their match with ID photos, with only the verification result stored.
Despite these assurances, concerns about the policy's implications persist. Critics argue that the ministry hastily introduced the technology without adequately gauging public sentiment or assessing potential collateral damage. Public backing is crucial for implementing such significant measures, and the ministry is criticized for not organizing public forums or consulting experts about the technology's safety.
The decision also highlights a concerning lack of digital literacy on the ministry's part. Korea is frequently targeted by cyberattacks, and recent breaches, like the one involving SK Telecom, have exposed personal data of millions. With the country's extensive IT infrastructure, the risks of implementing vulnerable technologies like facial recognition are significant. In the era of artificial intelligence, these risks are exacerbated by AI-enabled cyberweapons.
Given these concerns, the science ministry is urged to reconsider its plan for facial recognition technology. Critics warn that, once implemented, the system could facilitate large-scale personal data theft rather than enhancing public safety, raising questions about the trade-off between crime prevention and data security.