Apple Being Sued For Racial Bias in Watch’s Blood Oximeter
December 28, 2022 By Jozeph P
(Image Credit Google)
A man is suing Apple, claiming that the Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor has "racial bias" and discriminates against people with dark skin tones.
The Blood Oxygen app is available on Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, and it "can allow you to measure the oxygen level of your blood on-demand directly from your wrist, providing you with insights into your overall wellness," according to Apple.
New York resident Alex Morales alleges that he purchased an Apple Watch between 2020 and 2021, and was aware that the watch "purported to measure blood oxygen levels and he believed it did this without regard to skin tone," according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Southern District of New York.
According to the lawsuit, during the coronavirus pandemic, researchers "confirmed the clinical significance of racial bias in pulse oximetry" by using patient records.
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"For decades, reports have indicated that such devices were significantly less accurate in measuring blood oxygen levels based on skin color," according to the lawsuit.
"The real world significance of this bias remained unaddressed until the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, which coincided with a greater awareness of structural racism in many aspects of society."
On its website, Apple admits that it "may not be able to obtain a reliable blood oxygen measurement every time."
"Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact performance. Some tattoos' ink, pattern, and saturation can block light from the sensor, making it difficult for the Blood Oxygen app to obtain a measurement," Apple says.
By Jozeph P
Journalism explorer, tech Enthusiast. Love to read and write.