Computer maker Hewlett-Packard (HP) was accused this week of having developed and implemented “racist” face recognition software on its machines, as it would only work well with white-skinned people.
The technology created by it makes the HP MediaSmart PC webcam move wherever the person is, keeping their face always focused on the screen. See the denunciation (already seen almost 900 thousand times on YouTube believe me if you want):
(youtube) http://www.youtube/watch?v=t4DT3tQqgRM (/ youtube)
HP quickly responded to the complaint, stating that the feature did not work on the video above because of poor ambient lighting. As a result, the PC would not be able to identify the man's face in the example, which would not offer enough contrast between the eyes, cheek and nose.
Relating the case to Apple's hyperreal 3D interface patent, I can imagine that she and others working on similar projects will have something more to worry about now, in order to avoid this kind of embarrassment.
(via Bloomberg)
