In November 2019, Pa Edrissa Manjang joined Uber Eats and initially did not have to regularly send selfies to register for jobs. However, in 2021, the app started increasing verification checks, leading to his account being removed due to “continued mismatches.” The real-time ID check was meant to ensure safety for all app users, but Mr. Manjang and his supporters felt that it was a form of racial harassment.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the App Drivers and Couriers Union supported Mr. Manjang’s case, expressing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on his income. They also noted that the excessive selfie requests were a violation of his privacy and dignity.
After an out-of-court settlement, Mr. Manjang was reinstated and is now working in Oxfordshire. He viewed the settlement as the end of a challenging period and hoped it would contribute to strengthening rights and protections for ethnic minorities in relation to AI.
Baroness Falkner, chair of the EHRC, emphasized Mr. Manjang’s right to understand the opaque processes that affected his work without having to resort to legal action. She highlighted previous cases where ethnicity impacted technology use, including in law enforcement, government offices, and educational institutions. These instances underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the application of AI technologies.
Mr. Manjang’s case shed light on potential issues associated with AI, particularly for low-paid gig economy workers. It brought attention to how technology can be used unfairly against certain groups based on their race or ethnicity.
Overall, Mr. Manjang’s experience highlights the importance of ensuring that AI technologies are developed and implemented in a fair and equitable manner that respects human rights and dignity.
