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Ethics & Considerations

Visage is a powerful face recognition technology that must be used responsibly and ethically.

Core Principles​

1. Privacy First​

  • Local Storage: All data stays on your device
  • No Cloud: No uploads to external servers
  • User Control: Full control over data deletion
  • Registration Consent: Obtain explicit permission before registering someone's face
  • Usage Transparency: Be clear about how the system works
  • Right to Deletion: Allow people to request removal of their data

3. Transparency​

  • Open Source: Code is available for inspection
  • Clear Limitations: Acknowledge what the system can and cannot do
  • No Hidden Features: All functionality is documented

Appropriate Use Cases​

✅ Acceptable​

  • Personal Assistive Technology: Help yourself remember people
  • Family Photo Organization: Organize personal photo collections
  • Research & Education: Learn about face recognition
  • Accessibility Tools: Assist those with prosopagnosia or memory impairment

❌ Unacceptable​

  • Surveillance: Monitoring people without consent
  • Public Spaces: Identifying strangers without permission
  • Employment Decisions: Using for hiring/firing
  • Law Enforcement: Not designed or validated for legal use

Medical Disclaimer​

Important

Visage is NOT a medical device. It is an exploratory technical prototype.

  • Not FDA-approved
  • Not clinically validated
  • Not a substitute for medical advice
  • Not intended to diagnose or treat any condition

Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns.

Privacy Considerations​

Data Storage​

  • Location: data/visage.db SQLite database
  • Encryption: Not encrypted by default
  • Backup: User responsible for backups
  • Deletion: Manual deletion required

Recommendations​

  1. Encrypt at Rest: Consider using full-disk encryption
  2. Access Control: Protect your device with strong password
  3. Regular Audits: Review stored data periodically
  4. Secure Disposal: Securely delete database when no longer needed

Limitations​

Technical Limitations​

  • Accuracy: Not 100% accurate; false positives/negatives occur
  • Bias: May perform differently across demographics
  • Lighting: Requires reasonable lighting conditions
  • Angle: Works best with frontal faces
  • Occlusions: Masks, glasses may reduce accuracy

Operational Limitations​

  • Single User: Designed for one user at a time
  • Local Only: Requires local setup
  • Manual Updates: No automatic model updates
  • No Support: Community-driven support only

Responsible Development​

If you fork or extend Visage:

  1. Maintain Privacy: Keep local-first architecture
  2. Document Changes: Be transparent about modifications
  3. Test Fairly: Validate across diverse populations
  4. Consider Impact: Think about downstream effects
  5. Respect Rights: Honor privacy and consent

Before Registering Someone​

  1. Explain System: Describe how Visage works
  2. Get Permission: Obtain explicit verbal/written consent
  3. Explain Storage: Clarify where data is stored
  4. Offer Deletion: Make deletion process clear
  5. Allow Opt-out: Respect refusal

"I'm using an assistive technology called Visage to help me remember people. It would involve taking a photo of you and storing it locally on my device. The photo would only be used to help me identify you in the future. You can ask me to delete this data at any time. Is that okay with you?"

Reporting Issues​

If you discover:

  • Security vulnerabilities: Report privately to maintainers
  • Bias or fairness issues: Open a public issue
  • Privacy concerns: Contact maintainers
  • Misuse: Report to appropriate authorities

Further Reading​

Next Steps​