Recognition

Recognition

Recognition in the International Trade Union Rights Area

Definition of Recognition provided by ITUC-CSI-IGB: The designation by a government agency of a union as the bargaining agent for workers in a given bargaining unit, or acceptance by an employer that its employees can be collectively represented by a union.

Facial recognition systems

Video face recognition technology analyze the unique shape, pattern and positioning of facial features. A video camera is used to capture an image from a distance of a few feet away from the user. A number of points on the face (e.g., position of the eyes, mouth and nostrils) are usually mapped out. With other systems, a three-dimensional map of the face can be created. Most systems feature a “face locating” function that searches for faces within the field of view. This permits people of different heights to use the system while standing. Face recognition systems are designed to compensate for expression, glasses, hats and beards. (International Biometric Group, “Overview of Biometrics — Face Geometry,” , 8/13/99).

A facial thermogram uses an infrared camera to scan a person’s face and then digitize the thermal patterns. (Association for Biometrics and International Computer Security Association, “1998 Glossary of Biometric Terms,” as cited in Roethenbaugh, “ICSA Biometric Buyer’s Guide,” Appendix I, , 8/13/99). Apparently no two people, not even identical twins, have the same facial thermogram. The patterns are created by the branching of blood vessels in the face. As the blood is hotter than the tissue surrounding it, it radiates heat that can be picked up at a distance. Plastic surgery does not change a thermogram unless it involves the rerouting of the flow of blood. In addition, time does not alter a thermogram.30 However, it is thought that alcohol consumption can radically change a person’s thermogram. (David Banisar, “Big Brother goes High-Tech,” , 12/29/98)

While face recognition is being used in a one-to-many capacity by law enforcement and government, commercial applications use this technology for one-to-one verification. The use of video-based face recognition for consumer applications has grown considerably in the last few years. Some American banks, gas stations and convenience stores are using this technology to identify and record cheque-cashing transactions. (Biometric Technology Today, September 1998, Volume 6, Number 5, pp. 6, 8.) One American ATM system automatically takes a “biometric” picture every time a customer cashes a cheque. The customer first has to enrol in the system, but no bank account or driver’s license is needed. In order to cash a cheque, customers key in their Social Security numbers. This information, combined with the biometric, creates a real-time, irrefutable, permanent record of the transaction.(ATMs to use Face Recognition Technology,” , 4/22/99)

German banks have been using face recognition technology to give customers unattended, 24- hour access to their safety deposit boxes. Customers request their boxes at a self-service computer terminal, which includes a video camera. The camera captures and processes the customer’s facial image. System software verifies the person’s identity and authority to receive the requested safety deposit box. If the person is authorized, the box is retrieved by robots and delivered to the owner by an automated handling system. (John Burnell, “Identifying the biometric opportunity,” Automatic ID News, 4/26/99)

A Malaysian company is using this technology to create an airport security system that tracks passengers’ baggage with an image of their face. Only when passengers actually enter the plane will the system allow their baggage to be loaded. (Laurent Belsie, “Coming Soon: ATMs That Recognize Your Eyes,” Christian Science Monitor, December 2, 1997)

There also are applications that replace passwords for computer log-in. The primary advantage is that face recognition is able to operate “hands-free.” With a camera positioned on a computer monitor the user’s identity is verified simply by staring at the screen. Access to sensitive information can be disabled when the user moves out of the camera’s field of vision.

Facial recognition can be done on a more remote basis so a person will not know their face is being analyzed. For example, some casinos are using face recognition as a way of identifying suspicious players. A surveillance camera captures an image of the individual’s face and then compares it to a digitized photo database of “known cheaters.” Globally, airports have expressed interest in another system that can pick a moving face out of a crowd. One such system attempts to categorize faces according to the degree of fit with a set of “eigenfaces.” It has been postulated that every face can be assigned a “degree of fit” to each of 150 eigenfaces. In addition, the contention is that only the template eigenfaces with the 40 highest “degree of fit” scores are necessary to reconstruct a face with over 99% accuracy. This method uses computer-based analysis of digital images of actual photographs of individuals. Thomas Ruggles, “Comparison of Biometric Techniques,” The Biometric Consulting Group, last revision March 15, 1998, , 7/19/99.

They hope to use this technology as a way of identifying terrorists and other criminals.38

Source: Paper of the Ontario’s Privacy and Information Commissioner, 1999

Recognition

Embracing mainstream international law, this section on recognition explores the context, history and effect of the area of the law covered here.

Resources

Further Reading

  • The entry “recognition” in the Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law (currently, the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law, 2009), Oxford University Press

Resources

Notes

Trade Union Topics

  • Trade Union Act
  • Trades Union Congress (TUC)
  • Trade Union Density
  • Definition of Trade Union
  • Socialist Coalition
  • Socialist Party
  • Legislative Power
  • Trade unions in Europe
  • Trades Union Act
  • Cartism
  • Poor Law
  • Combination Acts

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