The case also highlights potential gaps in UK law regarding AI use. Manjang was able to get a settlement from Uber through a legal process based on the UK’s Equality Act 2006, which lists race as a protected characteristic. However, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the relevant enforcer, failed to investigate complaints against Uber, suggesting a lack of proper enforcement. The case underscores the need for more proactive regulation and enforcement in the face of increasing AI use.
Key takeaways:
- Uber Eats courier Pa Edrissa Manjang, who is Black, received a payout from Uber after facial recognition checks prevented him from accessing the app, raising questions about the UK law's ability to deal with AI systems.
- Manjang filed legal claims against Uber in October 2021, supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU), leading to years of litigation.
- Despite settling with Manjang, Uber is not publicly accepting that its systems or processes were at fault, claiming that facial recognition checks are back-stopped with “robust human review.”
- The case calls into question how fit for purpose UK law is when it comes to governing the use of AI, and highlights the need for more proactive enforcement by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).