2020 Tokyo Olympics to use facial recognition tech

The Japan Times has reported that organizers of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 will be using facial recognition technology “to streamline the entry of athletes, officials, and journalists” to the venues.

The Tokyo Olympics would be held from July 24 to August 9 while the Paralympics would be from August 25 to September 6.

Security measure

According to sources “close to the organizers,” the Japanese media outlet said the use of facial recognition technology is meant to “bolster security and prevent those involved in the 2020 Games from lending or borrowing ID cards.”

“Digital verification will make it difficult to use stolen or forged cards and likely reduce waiting times,” the Japan Times added.

Summer in Japan, which is when the 2020 Olympics would be held, can be hot and humid, so the organizers are looking at how to let people enter the Olympic venues within the shortest time possible.

Use of facial technology

The use of facial recognition technology has grown. In fact, New York City wants to tap the software to boost surveillance efforts.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said back in January that cameras equipped with facial recognition technology would be set up to track everyone entering and exiting the city through the tunnels and bridges.

Facebook has also utilized the technology as the world’s most extensive social network recently announced a feature that allows users to find photos where they are untagged.

The Olympics in 2020 will be held in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Rory Hyde via Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0)

Spectators excluded

Japan Times’ sources said the facial recognition technology “won’t be used for spectators” who would be asked to show their tickets and submit to luggage checks instead.

The organizing committee will issue identification cards bearing face pictures for an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 people who will be involved or participate in the Olympics.

When the ID holders enter the venue entrances or media facilities, their faces will be checked against registered photos for any discrepancy.

(Featured Image NEC Corporation by via Flickr. CC BY 2.0 )

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