RIP anonymity

The latest content trend could invade your privacy (but the good news is that you can opt out)

Let’s imagine you’re walking down Oxford Street in London or across Washington Square Park in New York and happen to be in the background of a moment captured on video that goes viral. Millions see it. You show your friends and say, “look there I am looking goofy at the back”. Maybe some of the comments on the video refer to your appearance. Some ask who you are. A couple of people tag an account that’s known for uncovering the identity of people captured in viral videos. That account then uses a facial recognition website to find dozens of pictures of you on the internet that helps them identify you, where you live, your job and all your social accounts.

Sounds like an episode of Black Mirror, right? Well it’s actually a very real current trend that makes use of a powerful picture-search website that uses technology so dangerous Facebook and Google decided not to release it.

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