Covid masks thwarting facial recognition tech, will investigate: US agency

Even the best commercial facial recognition systems have error rates as high as 50% when trying to identify masked faces, says study

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 Monday found that even the best commercial facial recognition systems have error rates as high as 50% when trying to identify masked faces.

The mask problem is why Apple earlier this year made it easier for iPhone owners to unlock their phones without Face ID. It could also be thwarting attempts by authorities to identify individual people at Black Lives Matter protests and other gatherings.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology says