A facial recognition program that will enable name associations to be applied to specific photographs, making them searchable on the Internet, is in its testing phase.

Currently in alpha testing, Riya software works by analysing 50 variables, including hair and eye colours, gender, height, clothing and other features that help identify people. It also uses text recognition to read street signs and other text in photos for clues about a picture’s location.

More photos, more names, means more avenues for finding people and developing background.