A headline speaker at today’s Malta Blockchain Summit has criticised the government’s plans to introduce facial recognition technology for public safety.

John McAfee, a cryptocurrency evangelist famous for his anti-virus software and controversial lifestyle, told Lovin Malta facial recognition was a wonderful thing as long as it was used to empower individuals. But if it’s used to follow people wherever they go, “that’s not cool with me”.

McAfee was interviewed for the upcoming video series Lovin Blockchain and was asked whether there was a contradiction between technologies like Blockchain and facial recognition.

“Absolutely there is. First of all the Blockchain is an empowering tool. It brings power to the individual, especially in cryptocurrency and financial transactions because if you can free yourself financially from the top-down power structure, then you can free every other aspect of your life, it’s very important.”

“If (facial recognition) is used by the power structure to follow you, identify you and see everywhere you go, no, that’s not cool with me, I’m sorry.”

“Something like facial recognition… it’s a wonderful thing if it’s used to open your own door to get into your home. It’s not a wonderful thing if it’s used by the power structure to follow you, identify you and see everywhere you go, no, that’s not cool with me, I’m sorry but that’s has nothing to do with the Blockchain. It has to do with the corruption within the power system of the world today.”

Watch this space for Lovin Blockchain, a video series all about Blockchain Island

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Chris Peregin

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.