Controversy Surrounds Chinese Surveillance Firm Dahua’s Skin Color Analytics Cameras in Europe
Chinese surveillance equipment maker Dahua is facing controversy over its sale of cameras with a skin color analytics feature in Europe. According to a report by the US-based security and surveillance industry research group IPVM, Dahua defends the feature as a basic element of a smart security solution. Critics, however, argue that skin color analysis in surveillance technology raises concerns about human rights and civil rights violations.
The IPVM report reveals that Dahua’s cameras include a function that detects skin color, categorizing individuals as yellow, black, or white. This feature is listed under the Personnel Control category in Dahua’s ICC Open Platform standard. The company claims that skin tone analysis plays an important role in surveillance technology and does not target any specific racial, ethnic, or national groups.
Dahua has previously denied offering this feature, and skin color detection is uncommon in mainstream surveillance tech products. The inclusion of skin color analytics raises ethical concerns, as errors in such technology can lead to false arrests and discrimination. Western nations have already experienced controversy regarding facial recognition technology’s errors based on skin color.
Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch (HRW), argue that surveillance software with skin tone analytics poses a significant risk to equality and non-discrimination. They assert that such technology enables camera owners and operators to racially profile individuals at scale, infringing upon privacy rights. Dahua technology should not include skin tone analytics, according to HRW.
The controversy surrounding Dahua’s skin color analytics cameras extends beyond Europe. In 2021, Dahua provided Chinese police with a video surveillance system that included real-time Uyghur warnings. The system reportedly captured characteristics such as eyebrow size, skin color, and ethnicity. Dahua and another Chinese surveillance company, Hikvision, have secured contracts worth $1 billion from China’s Xinjiang province, a hub of Uyghur life, since 2016.
Increased scrutiny of surveillance technology’s potential for racial discrimination has prompted action in various regions. The US Federal Communications Commission has deemed Chinese technology companies like Dahua and Hikvision a threat to national security. In June 2022, the European Union moved to ban the use of facial recognition systems in public places.
Amid concerns about racial profiling and human rights, Dahua maintains that its surveillance products do not enable racial identification. The company insists it does not develop solutions targeting specific ethnic groups.
As discussions surrounding surveillance technology continue, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations surrounding features like skin color analytics. Striking a balance between security and privacy remains a challenge, but recognizing the potential for discrimination and respecting human rights is a vital step forward.
