U-M study finds facial recognition technology in schools presents many problems, recommends ban

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U-M study finds facial recognition technology in schools presents many problems, recommends ban

Aug 10, 2020

Facial recognition technology should be banned for use in schools, according to a new study by the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy that cites the heightened risk of racism and potential for privacy erosion.

The study by the Ford School’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program comes at a time when debates over returning to in-person school in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic are consuming administrators and teachers, who are deciding which technologies will best serve public health, educational and privacy requirements.

Among the concerns is facial recognition, which could be used to monitor student attendance and behavior as well as contact tracing. But the report argues this technology will “exacerbate racism,” an issue of particular concern as the nation confronts structural inequality and discrimination.

https://news.umich.edu/u-m-study-fin...ecommends-ban/