Tech and Gadgets

Facebook considers adding profile photos to facial recognition

Published

6 years ago

August 30, 2013

ndtv.com

Facebook Inc is considering incorporating most of its 1 billion-plus members’ profile photos into its growing facial recognition database, expanding the scope of the social network’s controversial technology.

The possible move, which Facebook revealed in an update to its data use policy on Thursday, is intended to improve the performance of its “Tag Suggest” feature. The feature uses facial recognition technology to speed up the process of labeling or “tagging” friends and acquaintances who appear in photos posted on the network.

The technology currently automatically identifies faces in newly uploaded photos by comparing them only to previous snapshots in which users were tagged. Facebook users can choose to remove tags identifying them in photos posted by others on the site.

The changes would come at a time when Facebook and other Internet companies’ privacy practices are under scrutiny, following the revelations of a U.S. government electronic surveillance program.

Facebook, Google Inc and other companies have insisted that they have never participated in any program giving the government direct access to their computer servers and that they only provide information in response to specific requests, after careful review and as required by law.

Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan said that adding members’ public profile photos would give users better control over their personal information, by making it easier to identify posted photos in which they appear.

“Our goal is to facilitate tagging so that people know when there are photos of them on our service,” Egan said.

She stressed that Facebook users uncomfortable with facial recognition technology will still be able to “opt out” of the Tag Suggest feature altogether, in which case the person’s public profile photo would not be included in the facial recognition database.

Facial recognition technology has been a sensitive issue for technology companies, raising concerns among some privacy advocates and government officials. Tag Suggest, which the company introduced in 2011, is not available in Europe due to concerns raised by regulators there.

Google’s social network, Google+, also employs similar technology, but requires user consent. And it has banned third-party software makers from using facial recognition technology in apps designed for its Glass wearable computer.

Egan said Facebook was not currently using facial recognition technology for any other features, but that could change.

“Can I say that we will never use facial recognition technology for any other purposes? Absolutely not,” Egan said. But, she noted, “if we decided to use it in different ways we will continue to provide people transparency about that and we will continue to provide control.”

Facebook also amended its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities on Thursday, adding and tweaking the language so that members under 18 years of age are deemed to have affirmed that a parent or legal guardian has agreed to allow marketers to use some of their personal information in ads.

The language was the result of a recent court-approved legal settlement regarding its “sponsored stories” ads.

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Companies

Swarm Summit and Tech Expo returns this year, slated for 22nd – 23rd November

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2019

Big Eye

By Reporter

Hive Colab has partnered with ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) and will this years hold another edition of the Swarm summit. This year’s exhibition will be at UMA show ground between 22nd to 23rd Nov. 2019.

This year’s exhibition will be themed “Celebrating Uganda’s Digital Transformation”. The Swarm summit and Tech Expo is aimed at recognizing the different levels of development of Uganda’s digital landscape, showcasing the different entities working to create a harmonious tech ecosystem in the country.

“From its humble beginnings as the first tech hub almost 10 years ago, Hive Colab has supported the entrepreneurial spirit of Uganda’s in technology. Three years ago we launched the annual Swarm Summit to provide a stage where Uganda’s digital entrepreneurs could share their innovations and their stories,” said TMS Ruge; Co-founder and Director, Hive Colab. “This year, we’re thrilled to expand on that spirit with a partnership with ICTAU to launch this year’s Swarm Summit and Expo. We’re thrilled to provide a larger stage to showcase the technological innovations shaping Uganda’s digital economy,” he added.

The summit celebrates Uganda’s top business and technology minds building enterprises powering Uganda’s emerging digital economy.The Expo is open for the public to attend. To attend or exhibit register here www.swarm.ug

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Companies

Ugandan Digital Agency “Definite Creations” ranks 9th among top Web Design companies in the world

Published

2 months ago

July 25, 2019

Big Eye

Ugandan website designing company Definite Creations has been ranked among the top global website designing companies by Yahoo Finance Magazine. The Ugandan website designing giant beat over 1,500 participating companies to a top slot.

Definite Creations is a premier digital agency in Uganda providing compelling digital solutions in professional website design and hosting services, search engine optimization and social media marketing, mobile Apps and software development to help businesses achieve more.

Participating in this ranking and emerging 9th out of the top 25, Definite Creations managed to beat over 1,500 participating companies from different countries based on price, portfolios, reviews, leadership and expertise.

Speaking to Definite Creations about this milestone, Lodi Daniel, the founder and CEO of Definite Creations admits that it’s a very humbling experience having your company feature on prominent magazine like Yahoo Finance, “I would like to give the glory back to God and thank all the team at Definite Creations for the great work they are doing thus far. And this is our renewed commitment to continue providing quality and effective Digital marketing services to our clients and urge businesses to embrace Digital to spiral their business growth” He added.

“Definite Creations is currently serving clients in Uganda, South Sudan, South Africa and this ranking will provide opportunities for us to tap into the global clientele”.

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-25-design-companies-around-031500171.html

The survey was carried out by DesignRush, a B2B market place that features the top agencies around the world, including the best Digital Agencies, Logo Design, Branding, Digital Marketing, Website Design, ecommerce Web Design Companies, and more.

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Featured

Infinix to unveil a phone with the latest technology

Published

3 months ago

July 3, 2019

Big Eye

By Staff Writer

Infinix Mobility’s newest gadget brings science fiction to reality with the Augmented Reality.

The tech company is rumored to unveil its hottest new innovation on 8th July 2019 which includes Augmented Reality (AR)core, AR measure and Quick note. Infinix Mobility has proved extremely impressive setting a trend in the smartphone industry with its latest technology in the upcoming device, the NOTE6 aimed at providing users with reasonably priced device with a higher level of technology.

“We are moving from being just a smartphone company to bringing the high technology to everyone at affordable prices and the pretty cool NOTE6 is the beginning of greater innovation. The NOTE6 may not only be a phone with the AR core but is a device below One million shillings with such great features for everyone.” Marketing Manager, Ms. Gladys Liu said.

The NOTE6 AI powered X-pen comes with a lot of interesting functions which automatically detects and connects phone numbers, reminders, alarm clocks from the content recorded.

In addition, the X-pen has Intelligent gesture which can quickly erase the modified content, export pictures / format easily to spreadsheets, word document and handwritten font is easily translated into text.

The NOTE6 is rumored to have triple rear cameras, with a 3 days battery life and a tremendous upgrade in the RAM and storage capacity providing a user with space enough to store over 15,000 pictures, videos and a smooth user experience without lagging.

The NOTE6 will be available in three colors.

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