How normal am I? (hownormalami.eu)

Article summary

The article presents an interactive art project called 'How Normal Am I' that uses face detection algorithms to analyze and compare a user's face to others. The project aims to show how these algorithms are increasingly used to judge individuals. The website claims to run locally and not send any personal data to a server, unless the user explicitly agrees to share anonymous data at the end. The project is part of the European Union's Sherpa research program and explores the use of machine learning models in face detection and analysis.

Main themes

• face detection algorithms
• privacy and surveillance
• machine learning models
• data collection and analysis
• online security and trust
• art and technology intersection

What commenters say

• Some users were initially hesitant to allow webcam access but found the project to be informative and fun after reading the terms and conditions.
• The project's claim of not collecting personal data is met with skepticism by some users who believe that any website using their camera is likely to record and send data to advertisers or governments.
• The idea that people who read the terms and conditions are less likely to agree to submit their data is proposed as a hypothesis.
• The use of face detection algorithms and data collection raises concerns about privacy and surveillance.
• Some users are unconvinced by the terms of service and believe that they are not a guarantee of privacy or security.
• Others argue that the project is a useful tool for understanding how machine learning models are used in face detection and analysis.
• The project's findings, such as the fact that 96% of users do not read the terms and conditions, are seen as interesting and thought-provoking by some users.
• The trade-off between privacy and the benefits of using such technology is a topic of debate among users.