Facial Recognition Tech Raises Privacy Concerns

The rapid spread of doorbell cameras and AI-powered facial recognition tools is eliminating public anonymity.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The proliferation of doorbell cameras, AI-powered facial recognition tools like Clearview AI, and other surveillance technologies has effectively eliminated public anonymity. While these technologies can aid law enforcement in solving crimes, they also raise significant privacy concerns as people's faces and data are being collected and used without their consent.

Why it matters

The widespread use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, businesses, and tech companies has sparked debates around privacy rights, data collection, and the appropriate use of these powerful tools. As more cities and states pass laws to regulate AI and facial recognition, the balance between public safety and individual privacy remains a contentious issue.

The details

Companies like Ring, owned by Amazon, and Clearview AI have built massive databases of people's faces by scraping images from the internet and social media. Law enforcement agencies have embraced these tools, using them to identify suspects and victims, even in low-quality footage. However, the use of this technology has raised concerns, leading some cities and states to ban or restrict its use.

  • In 2021, Clearview AI's client list was hacked and leaked, revealing the company's work with the cities of Raleigh and Fayetteville, along with the town of Cary.
  • In 2020, the Raleigh Police Department ended its contract with Clearview AI, citing concerns that the use of the technology appeared to violate the agency's internal policies.
  • In 2023, the European Union passed legislation to provide oversight for AI-powered tools, including facial recognition technology, in its member countries.
  • In 2025, Google agreed to pay the state of Texas $1.4 billion to settle claims that the company collected user data, including facial geometry, without permission.

The players

Ring

A manufacturer of home security and smart home devices owned by Amazon.

Clearview AI

A company that scrapes the internet, including social media platforms, to build a massive database of people's faces that can be used for facial recognition.

Joan Ton-That

The CEO of Clearview AI.

Chris O'Brien

A lawyer who discussed how law enforcement is using facial recognition technology.

Kashmir Hill

A reporter for The New York Times who shared a personal story about being stopped at Madison Square Garden due to facial recognition technology.

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What they’re saying

“It's just like [Amazon's] Alexa in that [the device] is recording all of the time because she listening for you to say her name. So, a lot of these cameras are set to record on motion, or at least to mark the motion.”

— Duke Rogers, CEO of Triangle Forensics (WRAL)

“Pictures just popping up. Like pop-up ads. Here he is. This is the guy. And it was him, every one. It was wild. It was like hitting the lottery.”

— Chris O'Brien, Lawyer (BBC News)

What’s next

Cities and states across the country are continuing to pass laws and regulations to provide guardrails for the use of facial recognition technology, balancing public safety and individual privacy concerns.

The takeaway

The rapid proliferation of surveillance technologies like doorbell cameras and facial recognition tools has effectively eliminated public anonymity, raising significant privacy concerns that will require ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts to address.