Your Face, Their Data: The Price Of Online Presence?

[petter]

There’s an unsettling enmeshment between our biometric signatures and the algorithms that monetize us. It's not merely about data ownership—it's about autonomy. Are we the custodians of our digital shadows, or are we the product, parsed and packaged?

 

[jennifer.javier]

This is such a good question. So when we use facial recognition to unlock our phones or apps, do companies keep that data? Like... forever? Or is it supposed to be “locally stored”?

 

[adamhholmes]

This is such a good question. So when we use facial recognition to unlock our phones or apps, do companies keep that data? Like... forever? Or is it supposed to be “locally stored”?

Most consumer-facing facial recognition tech, like Apple’s Face ID, is stored securely on the device using a Secure Enclave. But with third-party apps or surveillance systems, the retention policies vary wildly. Always check their data handling protocols—if they’re even transparent about them.

 

[mike1985]

There’s an unsettling enmeshment between our biometric signatures and the algorithms that monetize us. It's not merely about data ownership—it's about autonomy. Are we the custodians of our digital shadows, or are we the product, parsed and packaged?

I think we gave up ownership the minute we signed up to any platform. I mean, those privacy policies? No one reads them. So technically we agreed. Doesn’t make it right though.

 

[cmarchan]

iT’S cRAZY hOW THEy KnOW eVERYtHiNg... I sEaRChd "shoes" oNCE aNd EvErYwHeRe now it’s SHOES sHOES SHOES WhoZ in contrOl fr???

 

[steven.harrington]

I think we gave up ownership the minute we signed up to any platform. I mean, those privacy policies? No one reads them. So technically we agreed. Doesn’t make it right though.

You're right in theory, but consent obtained through obscure legalese isn't truly informed. The concept of ownership is being redefined in real-time, and users are rarely in the driver’s seat.

 

[nickdev]

So let’s say I delete my Facebook account—do they still keep all my data? Like photos, chats, connections? And is there any real way to “disappear”?

 

[brian.henderson]

Yes, they do. Deactivation isn’t deletion. Even with deletion, backups and legal retention can keep your data for years. Disappearing? Practically impossible.