S.T.O.P. Condemns NYC AI Strategy For ‘Whitewashing Biased Tech’

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns NYC AI Strategy For ‘Whitewashing Biased Tech’ (NEW YORK, NY, 10/14/2021) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, condemns New York City’s new Artificial Intelligence Strategy for whitewashing biased technology, including NYPD facial recognition. The strategy seeks to create a framework for AI development in New York City, mapping out how the technology has been used in the past and steps for the future. Alarmingly, the report completely omits documented abuses of facial recognition and other forms of AI by the NYPD, hiding the harms biased AI is already inflicting on New Yorkers.   SEE: Report – AI Strategy: The New York City Artificial Intelligence Strategy https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cto/downloads/ai-strategy/nyc_ai_strategy.pdf Release – New York City Launches Artificial Intelligence Strategy https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cto/#/press-release/new-york-city-launches-artificial-intelligence-strategy “For years, the NYPD has weaponized AI against BIPOC New Yorkers, using biased and error-prone technology to undermine civil rights,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “We can’t map out AI’s role in NYC’s future if we won’t admit how it has been abused in the past. The city has systematically fought to hide the impact of NYPD AI. Even now, we’re forced to sue the city to get the most rudimentary information about NYPD facial recognition, including it’s bias against Black and Latinx New Yorkers. This AI strategy feels far more focused on good PR than good government.” In July, S.T.O.P. sued the NYPD for refusing to provide information about the bias and accuracy of its facial recognition software, which is used more than 10,000 times a year. The lawsuit followed the NYPD’s complete denial of S.T.O.P.’s request under New York’s Freedom of Information Law.   SEE: S.T.O.P. Sues NYPD For Records Of Facial Recognition Bias, Releases Facial Recognition Report https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/7/8/stop-sues-nypd-for-records-of-facial-recognition-bias-releases-facial-recognition-report Earlier this year, the New York civil rights group joined Amnesty International in launching a global facial recognition campaign: Ban the Scan. The campaign supports local facial recognition legislation in New York and other cities, helping activists outlaw government use of facial recognition. S.T.O.P. renewed its call on the New York City Council and state legislature to institute a wholesale ban on government use of facial recognition software. SEE: Human rights group urges New York to ban police use of facial recognition https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/25/new-york-facial-recognition-technology-police The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   - END – CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn; ; .   Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.