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Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

wired.com

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Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#21

Post by Harkins »

oblib wrote: post #9

I will never do this. I don't even post photos of myself on FB, or use "Messenger" or their mobile app, so it probably wouldn't work anyway, but I have no doubt they're looking to monetize the feature and that businesses and governments are their target markets.

They still have your face from scanning your friends' photos and contacts. Combine datestamp, location, messages, and posts over years and Facebook knows who was together for a photo whether or not you've uploaded any or been tagged. Facebook knows the face of everyone who is on Facebook or who knows a few people who are.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#22

Post by timthelion »

garblegarble wrote: post #2

If it can't be fooled by a picture found online (but not uploaded to facebook) then that must mean facebook is indexing images across the internet and analysing all the faces they find... and if it can, what's the point (edit: from a user point of view)?

You really ought to read the book https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Circle_(Eggers_novel) I hear the movies crap, but the book is perfect.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#23

Post by avh02 »

nxsynonym wrote: post #6

Is anyone concerned enough with their facebook profile security to want to be verified on this level? why not a normal 2fa? it seems like there is a hidden agenda behind collecting and analyzing users facial characteristics.

Last I checked 2fa on Facebook REQUIRES a phone number to be provided so that your phone is an sms based backup method. Apparently all the talented engineers at Facebook didn't think "oh, let them download a few spares backup codes like ever other service" or that sms based backups are a stupid idea.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#24

Post by _jal »

oblib wrote: post #9

I will never do this. I don't even post photos of myself on FB, or use "Messenger" or their mobile app, so it probably wouldn't work anyway, but I have no doubt they're looking to monetize the feature and that businesses and governments are their target markets.

I'm pretty sure it is about training their users to surrender biometrics on demand. FB wants their feedstock comfortable with the idea.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#25

Post by jasonpeacock »

avh02 wrote: post #23
nxsynonym wrote: post #6

Is anyone concerned enough with their facebook profile security to want to be verified on this level? why not a normal 2fa? it seems like there is a hidden agenda behind collecting and analyzing users facial characteristics.

Last I checked 2fa on Facebook REQUIRES a phone number to be provided so that your phone is an sms based backup method. Apparently all the talented engineers at Facebook didn't think "oh, let them download a few spares backup codes like ever other service" or that sms based backups are a stupid idea.

Backup codes are available, once you've enabled 2FA:

https://www.facebook.com/help/148104135383285?helpref=search...

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#26

Post by intopieces »

skytreader wrote: post #17

> The process is automated, including identifying suspicious activity and checking the photo. ... The Facebook spokesperson said the photo test is one of several methods, both automated and manual, used to detect suspicious activity. So I don't get if this "captcha" process is automated or manual (...or both)? Somewhere else in the article it says that users are apparently locked out of their accounts until the pic i…

Couple things.

1.) The face verification is automatic. It is among other processes that are automatic and some other processes that are manual.

2.) Lock out periods are to prevent repeated attempts.

3.) The face has to match the face of the account, so generating a new face won’t work.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#28

Post by intopieces »

This doesn’t seem too weird considering the service is called “face” book, and the point is to upload photos of your face. They have been using facial recognition for years now, this is a natural extension of that.

I am not a user, but I see the value. It’s creepy as hell, yes, but I see the value.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#29

Post by Chaebixi »

mtgx wrote: post #19
slig wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knowing fb, this is for their benefit, not the users i.e, they're trying to catch spammers and fake accounts, not see if you're the one accessing your own account or not.

I fear it's much more insidious than that. Facebook has a tendency to start doing some invasive stuff and then announce it to the world only 5 years later. They probably plan to use your facial profile for a number of things, none of which have to do with authenticating you to the Facebook website. I even see them sharing the profiles with the DHS to build more accurate facial recognition at airports, and other stuff…

> I fear it's much more insidious than that. Facebook has a tendency to start doing some invasive stuff and then announce it to the world only 5 years later.

> They probably plan to use your facial profile for a number of things, none of which have to do with authenticating you to the Facebook website. I even see them sharing the profiles with the DHS to build more accurate facial recognition at airports, and other stuff like that. But of course they wouldn't admit it now, because it would mean everyone refusing to use it from day one.

This validates my little project of uploading a ton of stock photos to my Facebook account and tagging myself in them.

Re: Facebook’s New Captcha Test: 'Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face'

#30

Post by Waterluvian »

I should write a blog post about this, but to those thinking about deleting Facebook,

My experience deleting it 5 years ago is summarized as: my friend count went way down, my friend quality went way up.

Your results may vary, but the purpose of my comment is not to immediately be worried that Facebook is a mandatory lifeline for your social life.

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