Dear colleagues, and all ASA members,
I previously posted a link to my note in the September AMSTAT news about the background and motivation for one of my initiatives about data (/personal) privacy. I'll announce those initiatives in 2023 when I'm section chair . In advance, I think there are quintessentially important issues and set of tools that statisticians both in the section and in general should learn/know about as the availability of online databases expands and as the ability of adversaries (the official term for hackers) expands and the research on record linkage and other tools for re-identification also expand
In that spirit an example of a potential privacy issue arising from facial recognition technology (FRT).
A capsule summary An individual was identified at Madison Square Garden by facial recognition technology and for reasons explained in the article, escorted from the facility.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madison-square-garden-face-scan-1234650989There is (/are) a substantial privacy issue(-s), arising from facial recognition with the possibility or "re identification of individuals in genomic database" by linking facial characteristics from images and using facial features (hair color, eye color, etc.) to re-identifiy individuals in genomic databases
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abg3296r Several of the Significant privacy issues arising from this described here:
https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2021/december/facial-recognition-in-the-us-privacy-concerns-and-legal-developments/And a major disclaimer-. I am well aware that there may be overlap between this initiative and those of other ASA committees and working groups. I have reached out to those committees. One In particular The US Census bureau have extensive resources on topics about de-identification/re-identification and to the best of my knowledge several or more census statisticians with expertise in data privacy issue.
- Looking toward 2023, I am beginning a collaboration with an expert in data privacy matters - I'll look forward to reporting more about that in 2023
In closing
Some whimsical light hearted holiday music- the Christmas Tuba Festival. Held around the world- we attended one concert in Sacramento about a week ago. Tuba is too narrow and the festival included Sousaphones, euphoniums and a host of tuba-like and tuba -derived instruments who's names I forget
The Guiness world record setting tuba festival with 802 musicians
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwfnNXgrRtcand tuba jingle bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6S1jGu6RFwand tubas at 30 Rock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjiYBzSckA8happy holiday's
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Chris Barker, Ph.D.
2022 Statistical Consulting Section
Chair-elect
Consultant and
Adjunct Associate Professor of Biostatistics
www.barkerstats.com---
"In composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in 15 seconds, in improvisation you have 15 seconds."
-Steve Lacy
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