Detroit Woman Sues City After Facial Recognition Error Leads to False Arrest
A Detroit woman has filed a lawsuit against the city and a detective after being falsely arrested and charged with robbery and carjacking due to a facial recognition error. Porcha Woodruff, 32, was shocked when the police showed up at her door and informed her of the charges, causing her young children to burst into tears. The arrest stemmed from a mistaken match made by facial recognition software, which linked an eight-year-old photo of Woodruff, taken when she was detained for driving with an expired license, to video footage of a suspect.
Woodruff’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleges false arrest, false imprisonment, and a violation of her Fourth Amendment rights. She is not the only victim of such errors, as at least two others have filed lawsuits against the Detroit police for wrongful arrests resulting from erroneous matches on facial recognition software. In response to an earlier case in 2019, the department revised its guidelines, limiting the use of facial recognition technology to only violent crime or home invasion investigations.
The lawsuit emphasizes the flaws and unreliability of facial recognition technology, particularly when it comes to identifying black individuals like Woodruff. It argues that facial recognition alone cannot serve as probable cause for arrests. Furthermore, Woodruff pointed out her pregnancy as evidence of her innocence when confronted by the police at her doorstep.
Despite their knowledge that she was not involved in the robbery or carjacking, Detective LaShauntia Oliver directed Woodruff back to the holding cell. The lawsuit accuses the police department of negligence in failing to use a more recent driver’s license photo of Woodruff in the facial recognition software and in photo lineups. Additionally, the department neglected to ask another suspect in custody if he recognized Woodruff as the perpetrator.
Detroit Police Chief James E. White expressed concern over the allegations and assured that the matter would be taken seriously. However, further comments were withheld pending additional investigation. Detective Oliver has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The news of wrongful arrests resulting from erroneous facial recognition matches is not isolated to Detroit. While there is no comprehensive data on how many law enforcement agencies use such technology, multiple countries, including China, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland, have adopted facial recognition for various purposes. Civil rights groups and privacy activists have raised concerns, leading to calls for regulation and transparency.
Although the case against Woodruff was dropped in March, she continues to suffer from anxiety, depression, and extreme stress as a result of the arrest, which occurred during an already challenging pregnancy. Woodruff recounts her experience of being forced to endure approximately 11 hours on a concrete bench at the Detroit Detention Center before being arraigned and released on a personal bond of $100,000. Following her release, she sought medical attention due to a low heart rate and dehydration, both she and her unborn baby were treated for. Woodruff also experienced a panic attack during her hospital visit.
The distressing incident highlights the need for accountability and caution when implementing facial recognition technology in law enforcement. As debates continue regarding its use and potential consequences, the focus remains on protecting individuals’ rights and preventing unjust arrests caused by flawed technology.
