IBM scraps software for facial recognition over racial profiling concerns

The Chief Executive Arvind Krishna, in a letter to representatives of the US Congress noted that IBM will stop offering software for facial recognition or analysis, and oppose the use of technology for mass surveillance and racial profiling.

The tech firm also calls for greater transparency and accountability to policing following the death of George Floyd in the US.

The tech firm's decision comes as the US contends with nationwide protests over the killing of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody in Minneapolis.

"IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology, including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors, for mass surveillance, racial profiling, violations of basic human rights and freedoms, or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and principles of trust and transparency," he was quoted as saying in the letter.

Government officials across the country have proposed reforms to address police brutality and racial injustice aimed at boosting oversight of law enforcement agencies.

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In the letter sent to prominent US senators, including Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, Mr Krishna also called for greater transparency and accountability to policing.

It comes just months after a US government study suggested facial recognition algorithms are far less accurate at identifying African-American and Asian faces compared to Caucasian faces.

Meanwhile, in London the Met Police has made its controversial live facial recognition (LFR) technology operational following 10 trials across the capital.