Google buys facial recognition software, bringing Internet creepiness to a new level

In "the Internet is getting more terrifying everyday" news, Google recently bought facial recognition technology company PittPatt. This kind of snappy identification application isn't new by any means, but the creep factor definitely got kicked up a notch when Google (which has probably farmed and aggregated more personal information about...

By Bree Davies

July 25, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

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In "the Internet is getting more terrifying everyday" news, Google recently bought facial recognition technology company PittPatt. This kind of snappy identification application isn't new by any means, but the creep factor definitely got kicked up a notch when Google (which has probably farmed and aggregated more personal information about you than you know about yourself) bought into it. The company said something nice about privacy being a concern before it considers applying the technology to its Google Goggles app, but as we all (should) know by now, nothing on the Internet is private.

So are you excited that your face could soon be highlighted and identified in a photo you don't really want associated with your person? Not that Facebook hasn't already taken care of that kind of social embarrassment by allowing "friends" to tag you as a bong or a beer can or LolCat in their photos. But at least as it stands right now with Facebook, the act of "untagging" is still an option.

Who knows what Google will bring --the Internet has become a deft tool of shame, but with the amount of web real estate it currently holds, Google could take smearing your personal life to a whole new level. Maybe in the near future, you will be able to walk down the street and snap a photo of a girl at a bus stop, Google Goggle her, and find out everything you've ever wanted to know about her eating habits, shoe size, place of employment, etc. The stalking possibilities are truly endless. Thanks, Google!

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies