Facial Recognition Interaction in a University Setting: Impression, Reaction, and Decision-Making

Facial recognition technology (FRT) is now being introduced across various aspects of public life. However, the controversial nature of FRT and improper uses often generate critical concerns and even resistance. Research on human interactions with FRT has focused principally on individual-level usage in private spaces, tending not to capture in-situ, nuanced human-surveillance technology interactions. To address this gap, we investigated users’ lived experiences with a facial recognition system at a university in the United States, using semi-structured interviews. In this paper, we reported findings of participants’ first impressions and initial reactions to FRT, whether and why their attitudes changed afterwards, and how they evaluated the administration that made the deployment decision. We found that besides issues of privacy, data security, and possible bias, the participants highlighted the idea that FRT might deconstruct the nature of community and connections between people as well as resulting in mass surveillance. In evaluating the deployment decision, the participants perceived control of and transparency in the decision-making process, the accuracy and timeliness of the information, and respect accorded to users in the process as equal in importance to the technology itself. Our findings also point to organizational issues associated with the administration of FRT and offer insights into controversial technology deployment from an organizational justice perspective.