Black teenager misidentified, barred by Livonia skating rink AI system

A black teenager was barred from entering an ice skating rink in Livonia, Michigan, after she was misidentified by a facial recognition system. 

According to Fox 2 Detroit reports that The Riverside Arena skating rink in stopped Lamya Robinson from entering its premises after her face was scanned and the results indicated she had previously been involved in a brawl there. However, Robinson had never been to the skating rink.

Robinson's mother told Fox 2 Detroit, 'To me, it’s basically racial profiling,' said the girl’s mother. 'You’re just saying every young Black, brown girl with glasses fits the profile and that’s not right.'

The incident called into question the accuracy and effectiveness of the (unnamed) system, and underscored perceptions that facial recognition systems are 'racist'.

The skating rink apologised 'if there was a mistake.'