More than sixty organizations including the EFF have called on the UK government to halt facial age estimation technology for asylum-seeking children from 2027. They warn of bias, discrimination and serious rights risks in the planned border system.
A coalition of over sixty groups has written to UK border minister Alex Norris to demand an end to plans for facial age estimation at the border. The letter highlights how the Home Office intends to use this tool on children seeking asylum starting in 2027. Groups such as the EFF, Foxglove and Human Rights Watch fear the technology will lead to unfair outcomes.
The main worry is discrimination built into these systems. Face estimation tools often show bias against certain skin tones and age groups. This could wrongly label older children as adults or cause other errors that harm vulnerable people. Past tests have shown these tools struggle with accuracy across different populations.
The groups want the government to drop the plan before it begins. They argue that better and fairer methods exist to check ages without using flawed face technology. The letter asks officials to listen to these concerns and protect the rights of children at the border.
Original Author: Paige Collings | Source: EFF
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