Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit

Re:Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit by zamfi on Wednesday January 29, 2020 @08:37PM (#22188138)

> As long as the nature of punishment is a fine, it can be modeled and a cost-benefit analysis can be performed. If the forecasted economic benefit exceeds the cost, then the action should be taken, or so the theory goes.

The theory has limits though. If, in discovery, prosecutors find out that the company intentionally did something illegal because it believed that the cost of the fine was less than the benefit of the illegal action, then the fine is usually much higher and the specific executives involved often face much stiffer penalties.

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Re:Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit by 1123581321 on Wednesday January 29, 2020 @10:39PM (#22188641)

There is a difference between an intentional plot to commit one specific illegal act or tort, and recognition that torts and misbehavior will happen in a large enough organization and budgeting/insuring for it. This happens whether or not it’s believed paying damages is cheaper than fixing the problems.

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Re:Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit by zamfi on Friday January 31, 2020 @02:34AM (#22199838)

Agreed. I didn't say the theory was invalid, just that it has limits!

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Re:Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit by 1123581321 on Friday January 31, 2020 @02:59AM (#22199927)

True! Sorry about that.

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Re:Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit by octodog on Wednesday January 29, 2020 @09:59PM (#22188496)

Do you know of any examples when that has actually happened? Genuinely curious, because I can't think of any.

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