For most of us at the moment our only contact with FaceTech is likely to be at electronic passport gates or finding novelty filters on Snapchat. However, like it or not, our faces seem to be becoming an increasingly important tool for accessing possessions and information, as well as enabling different sectors to learn more about consumer markets. Wild wide ranging implications on ethics and business, in future, how might industries – not to mention everyday people – use FaceTech to their advantage? Today, essentially all phones, laptops and tablets are fitted with cameras. Say, for instance, your phone was stolen.

You're used to unlocking your door with a key, but maybe not with your face. As strange as it sounds, our physical appearances can now verify payments, grant access and improve existing security systems. Protecting physical and digital possessions is a universal concern which benefits everyone, unless you're a cybercriminal or a kleptomaniac of course. Facial biometrics are gradually being applied to more industries, disrupting design, manufacturing, construction, law enforcement and healthcare. How is facial recognition software affecting these different sectors, and who are the companies and organisations behind its development?