US agency: Pandemic masks thwarting face recognition tech

This photo provided by NIST shows digitally applied mask shapes to photos and tested the performance of face recognition algorithms developed before Covid appeared. A preliminary study published by a US agency found that even the best commercial facial recognition systems have error rates as high as 50% when trying to identify masked faces. — National Institute of Standards and Technology via AP

Having a tough time recognising your neighbours behind their pandemic masks? Computers are finding it more difficult, too.

A preliminary study published by a US agency on July 27 found that even the best commercial facial recognition systems have error rates as high as 50% when trying to identify masked faces.