Facial recognition technology has been a major topic over the past two years, taking more recognition this year actually. For most people, such a thought was limited to science fiction films, but that changed when most people were experiencing the new tech on their Facebook profiles . Then came Google Glass and the fear that it would give the power of facial recognition in the hands of regular people by making it “cool” or “hip”. Yes, facial recognition technology is taking a footing in daily life now, especially now that the first criminal has been arrested with it. Must be something the NSA has planned up right?
But there is now news that facial recognition technology is now being utilized in hotels. According to an article by Glass Almanac , hospitality solutions provider, iTesso, has implemented the technology for use by front desk staff. This will enable them to recognize guests the moment they walk in the door, and before they even have the opportunity to reveal their name. In order to do this, the software will utilize the hotel’s database along with public image sources, such as LinkedIn, to recognize a potential guest. They say this is done to help streamline the check-in process, which is even assisted by a new app as stated in the recent iTesso press release .
Ironically, initiating the new facial recognition technology in their hotels is going against the first instituted ban by Google. However, the ban seems to only be effective against public use of the technology, not for a privatized organization or company and their own clients. This means that for private use in companies, and as long it stays within the privatized use of the company, the ban will be considered useless.
However, media analyst, political activist, and author, Mark Dice, has some interesting words to say about the facial recognition technology used in hotels. First off, it isn’t anything new because he states that high-end stores use the tech to recognize celebrities when they walk into the store. In something of a similar nature, though it is not through facial recognition, restaurants have also been reported for searching the internet for info on their customers. Seriously, how long will it be until those places use facial recognition technology to look up their customers’ food preferences?
So what do you think about hotels now using this tech in hotels? Do you think it will extend to other forms of hospitality such as restaurants and theme parks? If Mark Dice, and many others like him, are correct, then this form of Orwellian control will become the norm, and not just at hotels, but everywhere.
iTesso will be demonstrating the new facial recognition technology and software at the Hotel Industry Technology Expo and Converence in Los Angeles, California. Today is actually the last day of the expo.