Investors raise human rights concerns over facial recognition technology

Initiative led by Candriam

Candriam, Aviva Investors, Columbia Threadneedle and Robeco are among a group of 20 investors raising human rights concerns over facial recognition technology, citing its potential risk of racial and gender bias, “questionable” accuracy, privacy concerns and misuse.

The investor group led by Candriam surveyed 15 companies involved in FRT to understand how they assess, manage and mitigate human right risks.  Benjamin Chekroun, engagement analyst at Candriam, said that greater oversight and understanding of companies involved in FRT is now "a human rights imperative" given the delay in regulating the technology and the fast pace at which it is evolving.  "As investors in the technology sector, we have an important role to play in encouraging companies to identify, manage and to mitigate human rights risks in their use of AI and FRT," he said.  A...