Facebook Can Recognize You Even If You Cover Your Face

1 minute read

Facebook has unveiled a cutting-edge computer vision algorithm that can identify individuals in pictures even if some of those individuals are facing away from the camera, New Scientist reports.

Computer vision algorithms currently suggest tags for photos uploaded to the social network, but the latest exhibition of Facebook’s technology at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference in Boston managed to identify people in 40,000 public Flickr photos with 83% accuracy. Even more uncanny, the algorithm was able to seize on unique identifying traits, such as hairstyles and recurring outfits.

“People have characteristic aspects, even if you look at them from the back,” Facebook’s head of artificial intelligence told New Scientist. “For example, you can recognize Mark Zuckerberg very easily because he always wears a gray T-shirt.”

It isn’t yet clear if the new algorithm will be incorporated into any of Facebook’s products.

Read more at New Scientist.

Facebook’s Gorgeous New Campus Has a ‘Green Roof’ the Size of 7 Football Fields

DCIM103MEDIA
An aerial view of Facebook's new campus, an expansion of its current headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. The LEED-certified building, known as MPK 20, has a 9-acre "green roof."Matt Harnack for Facebook
Facebook New Campus Green Roof
The roof contains a half-mile walking loop for employees and over 400 trees.Matt Harnack for Facebook
Facebook New Campus Green Roof
A view of the MPK 20 roof at night.Gehry Partners, LLP
Facebook New Campus Green Roof
The lobby of the campus is entered from the roof.Matt Harnack for Facebook
Facebook New Campus Green Roof
The building, known as MPK 20, will officially open this spring.Matt Harnack for Facebook
Construction begins on April 28, 2014 on Facebook's new west campus in Menlo Park CA.
Construction on the campus seen from above in April, 2014.Proehl Studios/Corbis
Facebook New Campus Green Roof
An early architectural model in the offices of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.Courtesy of Facebook
Architect Frank Gehry and Mark Zuckerberg review the model before it's construction.Facebook

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com