Showing posts with label apps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apps. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

A Picture of Your Face is Like Money in the Bank

Who doesn't like to save a little cash every now and then? Can't think of anyone? That's because everyone loves a great deal. And, if you don't mind your face being scanned you can get personalized deals sent directly to your phone when you enter your favorite establishment.

Facedeals is a relatively new Facebook app that marries your "likes" and check-ins with face recognition software to offer personalized deals for its users. The app actually "learns" your face from photos you have uploaded to Facebook and are tagged in. In order for the app to work, the business must have a Facedeals camera installed right outside the door. As you enter the software quickly scans your face, checks you into Facebook and determines what type of discount to offer based on your "likes".  Sounds simple enough.



If you own a business this may be a way to draw more traffic into your company. You may possibly increase your sales and the customer saves a little money. Everyone wins. But as the customer, you may have concerns about your privacy and how your information is being used.

Personally, I think this is both creepy and kind of awesome at the same time. Think about it...let's say you go to your favorite after work hangout and they have a Facedeals camera right outside the door. You walk in and moments later you get a text offering you two for one appetizers. Awesome! But, what about privacy? The thought of my personal habits being recorded, analyzed and regurgitated creeps me out.

So what do you think? Would you be willing to have your face scanned if it could possibly save you a little cash?




Sources:
Brading, Anna. "New Facebook app Facedeals scans your face to offer you deals." Naked Security from Sophos. Sophos Ltd. 14 Aug. 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2013. <http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/08/14/new-facebook-app-facedeals-scans-your-face-to-offer-you-deals/>

"Facedeals - Check-In with Your Face." Redpepper. YouTube. 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLOxUVvcjwE>