Can masks interfere with facial recognition?

[question everything]

There is a story where the goons use facial recognition to identify protesters who follow them.

Since the goons use masks should the trackers use, too?

[buzzycrumbhunger]

1. I remember during the height of Covid

… having to re-scan my face for my phone’s face recognition to update so it would open even if I had a mask on. Not sure how that can provide enough landmarks to recognize a person, but it worked easily.

[JHB]

2. Apparently yes, with higher error rate

https://necolebitchie.com/can-facial-recognition-work-with-a-mask/

Can Facial Recognition Work with a Mask? The Truth Behind the Technology

Yes, facial recognition technology can work with a mask, although the accuracy and reliability are significantly reduced compared to unmasked face scans. This capability depends on several factors, including the sophistication of the algorithm, the quality of the camera, and the area of the face that remains visible.
***

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid evolution in facial recognition technology. Suddenly, systems designed to identify full faces were confronted with partially obscured features. Traditional facial recognition relies on analyzing a matrix of data points across the entire face, including the nose, mouth, and chin. Masks effectively block a significant portion of this data, posing a substantial challenge.
***
To overcome this hurdle, developers focused on partial facial recognition. These algorithms primarily analyze the visible portions of the face, focusing on the eyes, eyebrows, and the area around the forehead. They also leverage contextual information, such as head shape and hair, to improve accuracy. However, this approach is inherently more complex and prone to errors.
***

More on the subject at link

[question everything]

3. Interesting. I think that were I a tracker I would wear a heavy wool balaclava

Only the eyes would be exposed. Even the shape of the head would be in doubt.

[sakabatou]

4. Yep. There are even dazzle camo to help break up lines

[hunter]

5. If we are forced to hide we are already lost.