City of Detroit to Revise Use of Facial Recognition Technology Following Wrongful Arrest of Black Man

The City of Detroit is taking a stand against the wrongful use of facial recognition technology, following the wrongful arrest of a Black man nearly six years ago. Robert Williams, who was arrested in 2018 based solely on a facial recognition match to an expired driver’s license photo, has since received a $300,000 settlement from the city.

In response to this incident, Detroit police have agreed to revise their use of facial recognition technology in criminal cases. They will now review all cases between 2017 and 2023 where facial recognition was used and will notify prosecutors if an arrest was made without independent evidence corroborating the technology’s results.

This move comes after years of facial recognition disproportionately affecting Black individuals. From members of Congress being falsely identified as suspects to a pregnant Black woman being arrested as a carjacking thief, the technology has repeatedly led to wrongful accusations and arrests.

The ACLU has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of those affected by facial recognition technology misuse. They have filed lawsuits on behalf of individuals like Robert Williams, highlighting the lack of policies and training in law enforcement agencies regarding the proper use of this technology.

With Detroit taking steps to address these issues, it is hoped that other cities and law enforcement agencies will follow suit in ensuring that facial recognition technology is used responsibly and fairly, without disproportionately targeting Black individuals.