November 23, 2023
Māori bias ignored in facial recognition roll out
A Māori computer scientist says government moves to ramp up the use of facial recognition and other biometric information should send alarm bells through Māori and other non-white communities.
Overseas studies have shown a clear bias against black people especially, when it comes to glitches in facial recognition technology.
Despite concerns about racial bias issues – and little to no testing by our government – computer scientist Te Taka Keegan says government agencies, like the Ministry Of Social Development, are pushing ahead with the technology anyway.
“There hasn’t been any discussions with tangata whenua about the use of facial recognition. It’s something the government is seriously looking at bringing out, but as far as I’m aware trials with tangata whenua haven’t been happening,” Dr Keegan says.
He supports a digital future, but not one where authorities are able to use it against their citizens – or where it is biased against particular sectors of the community.