Forensics

As the use of facial recognition rises, so do privacy concerns. These Chicago-made glasses are designed to block the technology.

Designers, artists and researchers around the world have invented masks that block facial recognition technology. There are also glasses that use different tactics than Reflectacles, and even clothing with faces on the fabric meant to confuse the cameras.
The efforts extend into other areas of data privacy as well — chunky bracelets meant to jam Amazon Echo and other devices from listening to conversations, and phone pouches that block tracking signals.
For years, social media sites have used facial recognition technology in tagging features. Popular apps also have used it to find customers’ likeness in works of art or other images. In 2017, Apple rolled out a feature on the iPhone X that uses facial recognition to unlock the screen.