Ex-Uber driver takes legal action over 'racist' face-recognition software

An Uber driver who lost his job when automated face-scanning software failed to recognise him is accusing the firm of indirect race discrimination in a legal test case. The black driver, who worked on the Uber platform from 2016 until April 2021, has filed an employment tribunal claim alleging his account was illegally deactivated when facial-verification software used to log drivers on to the ride-hailing app decided he wasn't who he said he was. The Independent Workers of Great Britain trade union, which is backing the action, claimed at least 35 other drivers had had their registration with Uber terminated as a result of alleged mistakes with the software since the start of the pandemic. It is calling for Uber to scrap the "racist algorithm" and reinstate terminated drivers. An Uber spokeswoman said the firm "strongly refutes the completely unfounded claims" and said it is "committed to fighting racism and being a champion for equality--both inside and outside our company."