Teenager sues Apple for $1bn, claiming facial recognition led to false arrest

Engadget ^ | 04/23/2019 | Mariella Moon

[BenLurkin]

NYPD officers arrested Ousmane Bah on November 29th after he was falsely linked to a series of Apple Store thefts in Boston, New Jersey, Delaware and Manhattan. Apparently, the real perpetrator used a stolen ID that had his name, address and other personal information. However, since the ID didn't have a photo, the lawsuit states Apple programmed its stores' face recognition system to associate the real thief's face with Bah's details.

A detective that eventually examined Apple's surveillance footage after the arrest determined that the real Bah didn't look anything like the thief. Further, Bah was attending his senior prom in Manhattan when the Boston theft, where $1,200 worth of goods were stolen, took place

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

[z3n]

Oooops!

If your going to program your facial recognition software to catch a thief, make sure you have the right person’s identity.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

1 billion? Why not $100 gabillion?

[cuban leaf]

I think he will win. However, I doubt it will be a billion. Maybe a million or ten...

[neverevergiveup]

Obviously some lawyer heard of the case and convinced the teenager and his family to sue on contingency (lawyer probably gets at least a third - plus his/her billing). One big money win as an attorney and you are set up for life.

[Blue Jays]

"...false arrest..."

---

I see where the kid is coming from on this.
It is all fun and games until some nervous state trooper rookie is yanking you out of your car, tossing you onto the roadside gravel, and kneeling on your back to handcuff you.

[I want the USA back]

There will be a lot more lawsuits as law enforcement slavishly believes the results of their “artificial ‘intelligence’ “.

[ManHunter]

You mean Apple made a mistake? They went a bit too far? Apple isn’t infallible? Say it ain’t so...!

[Notthereyet]

I’m all for the kid and hope his lawsuit hits good legal ground.

Aside from his reputation, some very serious stuff could have happened to this young man.

Folks really need to wake up to this stuff.

[z3n]

[Pontiac]

Just my opinion, but it seems like some pretty lazy police work.

They had an ID and they had store surveillance video of the perp.

They couldn’t be bothered to check social media to see if the face in the surveillance video matched the on-line identity of the ID?

How, many young people today don’t have their face all over social media? Even criminals can’t stay off of social media.

Seems to me that is the first place a smart cop would go.

[rarestia]

Bah was attending his senior prom in Manhattan when the Boston theft, where $1,200 worth of goods were stolen, took place

So a single phone was stolen?

[Blue Jays]

"...So, a single phone was stolen?..."

---

The person was arrested for a series of thefts from Apple stores in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
That particular theft was apparently $1200.00 based on the article.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

His beef should be with the guy that stole his identity not apple.

[MrEdd]

Actually, a growing number.

[rdl6989]

Apple ping.

[Minutemen]

Does Ousmane even have a “green card”?

[Cowboy Bob]

If the kid was Chinese, Apple would have an absolute defense.

[ek_hornbeck]

Good luck with that, kiddo. People who have spent decades in prison for murders that they were later exonerated for don’t get 1bn or even 1mn, so try for aiming for something a little more reasonable for a false arrest to make your point.