Facial recognition software used to check passports has been called 'systemically racist,' after a study found it was twice as likely to reject a picture of a black woman than a white man. An investigation into the technology, which is used by the Home Office, found 22 per cent of dark-skinned women were told their pictures were poor quality. Student Elaine Owusu, 22, from London, was wrongly told her mouth appeared open on five different photos she tried to use. Ms Owusu told the BBC: 'If the algorithm can’t read my lips, it’s a problem with the system, and not with me.' The software is used by the Home Office as part of its online application process, determining whether photographs are appropriate for a passport.

Source: Daily Mail October 09, 2020 01:00 UTC