View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Technology
  2. Software
July 20, 2012

YouTube introduces face blurring technology for users

YouTube has created a face blurring tool for video uploads

By Tineka Smith

The new button allows users to obscure faces within videos when uploading them. The feature will is designed to protect the identity of those who want to remain anonymous especially during anti-government protest.

According to the International Human Rights organisation there isn’t a video sharing site or hardware manufacturer that currently offers the option to blur faces in order protect identities.

"As citizens continue to play a critical role in supplying news and human rights footage from around the world, YouTube is committed to creating even better tools to help them," said Youtube policy associate Amanda Conway.

YouTube

To use the blur option click on additional features then click the apply button below Blur All Faces. Users can see a preview of what a video will look like with faces blurred before uploading. Once you save the changes to a video a new copy of video is created with blurred faces and users can delete or keep the original video.

"Whether you want to share sensitive protest footage without exposing the faces of the activists involved, or share the winning point in your 8-year-old’s basketball game without broadcasting the children’s faces to the world, our face blurring technology is a first step towards providing visual anonymity for video on YouTube," said Conway.

YouTube, however, pointed out some technical problems as the feature is an emerging technology. There may be difficulty sometimes for certain faces to be detected which will prevent them from being blurred.

Content from our partners
How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline
How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape
Green for go: Transforming trade in the UK

Users can always keep their videos private if unsatisfied with the accuracy of blurring.

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU