Microsoft’s Azure AI Vision has been available for some time with many users claiming that the service is one of Microsoft’s most innovative computer vision capabilities. Azure AI Vision is made up of four key tools which allow apps to analyze images, detect faces, read text with image tagging, OCR text extraction, analyze presences and access facial recognition.
All of these features are highly useful for everyday business purposes but mainly for security. While most of these features are mostly without risk, one that Microsoft has had to regulate more strictly is its facial recognition service.
Azure AI Face Service is an AI-powered facial recognition tool. It, as the name suggests, is used to detect, recognize, and analyze faces from images and videos. For the most part, those who provide IT Support Services in London have found that it is used for identity verification, touch-less access control and face blurring for privacy.
When it comes to security this can be an invaluable tool. It can help mitigate many forms of security risks and weaknesses. For identity verification, organizations can verify employee identifications with official documents which can then later be for multiple purposes.
For touch-less access control, facial recognition can be to decrease the need for cards or tickets when gaining access physically or digitally. This is useful for hygiene purposes but also for better access control. There is less risk of unauthorized access and people sharing cards, loss, and theft.
Lastly, the service doesn’t just have to be for security purposes but also privacy. The service allows apps to easily blur or redact any detected faces in images and videos. It is to ensure that people have their privacy and identity protected.
The facial recognition service has the potential to be highly useful for good reasons. But with all its benefits, it doesn’t come without its risks. One of the first things that is important to note with this service is that it makes general predictions and not actual classifications when analyzing faces.
It has the ability to extract a variety of face-related attributes. These are like age, gender, accessories like glasses, facial hair, emotions and head poses. This needs when the AI looks at stored face data. It can better match identities to those on the system. This can help verify identities but also help find similar-looking faces.
This is a big reason why Microsoft has started regulating the tool. While it can be useful for some reasons, there are some capabilities that have been retired by Microsoft because of the potential for users to misuse the service by inferring emotional states and identity attributes by using these general predictions. Many providers of IT Support in London have pointed out that if Microsoft had not regulated certain capabilities, there is the potential of subjecting people to stereotyping, discrimination and unfair denial of services.
People have the right to privacy and anonymity. This is a big reason why Microsoft has banned the purchasing of this technology to police departments within the United States because of the country’s lack of strong regulation. Microsoft has put systems in place to ensure that those using this tool are using it responsibly.
This means that not just anyone can use this service. Microsoft 365 Consulting providers want businesses to know that access to the Face Service is a limited service. It is based on eligibility and usage criteria. Only Microsoft managed customers and partners will be able to use it.
Who have access to this service will have to be responsible for providing notice to the subjects of the service. Be aware of all conditions of retention periods and subsequent destruction of face data.
Permissions and responsible use are at the absolute core of this service. Microsoft has regulated this service so much. It is because of all the potential negative consequences this product can have on people’s right to security and privacy.