Detroit Reaches $300,000 Settlement with Wrongfully Accused Man Over Biased Facial Recognition Technology

As part of a settlement reached with the city of Detroit, Robert Williams has been awarded $300,000 after being wrongfully accused of shoplifting and having his driver’s license photo incorrectly flagged as a possible match for a suspect seen on security video. The agreement was announced by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan law school, who argue that facial recognition technology is flawed and racially biased.

As a result of this settlement, Detroit police will no longer be allowed to make arrests based solely on facial recognition results or photo lineups generated from a facial recognition search. Instead, they will need to gather additional evidence before proceeding with an arrest. This change aims to prevent wrongful arrests and unjust outcomes.

The ACLU attorney emphasized the importance of ensuring that individuals are not pressured into pleading guilty based on facial recognition scans and lineup results. Chief James White had previously announced new policies regarding the use of the technology after a woman who was eight months pregnant was falsely charged with carjacking.

Detroit police have also been required to review cases from 2017 to 2023 in which facial recognition technology was used. If an arrest was made without independent evidence, a prosecutor will be notified. This review aims to address any concerns surrounding the use of facial recognition technology by implementing new protocols and safeguards to prevent wrongful arrests and unjust outcomes.

Williams, who is Black, expressed hope for a better world while also voicing his desire for the technology to not be used at all. The settlement reached between him and Detroit is a step towards ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and justly in our society.

In conclusion, this settlement represents an important victory for civil rights advocates and highlights the need for continued scrutiny of facial recognition technology and its potential impact on individuals’ lives.