YouTube has announced a new Face
Blurring feature designed to help protect the identities of the
people in videos, whether it’s an activist in the middle of a
conflict, or a parent protecting the identity of a child.
In the announcement about the new Face
Blurring feature added to YouTube, a reference was made to the
international human rights organization WITNESS’ Camera Everywhere
2011 Report, which stated “No video-sharing site or hardware
manufacturer currently offers users the option to blur faces or
protect identity.”
This report outlined some key
challenges, including Privacy and Safety; Network Vulnerabilities;
Information Overload, Authentication and Preservation; Ethics; and
Policy; and went on to make a number of recommendations.
Now that video uploaded to the internet
is becoming mainstream, government organizations may use to identify
the identities of protestors using it. Google’s Face Blurring
Technology should help to change that.
Link to Witness’ Camera Everywhere
Report:
YouTube stated it’s exited to be among
the first to offer a feature allowing users to obscure faces in
videos with a click of a button.
Click here to see the complete
announcement.
Below is a screenshot of the new feature at work (click to enlarge).
