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Google's Photo ID Feature Calms Privacy Fears

Security experts applaud opt-in requirement

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2011 7:52 AM CST | Updated Dec 11, 2011 7:57 AM CST

(Newser) – Google has quietly launched a facial recognition service for Google+, but unlike Facebook's more intrusive photo ID feature, Google is earning praise from privacy experts for keeping Find My Face an opt-in feature, reports eWeek. Like Facebook's Tag Suggestions, which launched about a year ago, Find My Face examines photos on Google+ and tries to identify the people in them. "Google is not interested in making the same mistakes Facebook made," says an analyst.

Facebook received much criticism from privacy experts because its Tag Suggestions is automatically turned on, and it takes some work to opt out of the feature. Google likely has learned from its own privacy gaffes, too, such as Google Buzz, which could expose your Gmail contacts. Of course, just a few months ago Google CEO Eric Schmidt said Google would not get into facial recognition software at all, calling the technology "creepy."

This screen shot shows a page from Google Plus.
This screen shot shows a page from Google Plus.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
summerfairy
Dec 11, 2011 11:04 AM CST
A little payola from google for publishing their PR bullshit??
 

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