A young black man looking to renew his passport online was shocked when the automated photo checker mistook his lips for an open mouth. The facial detection system informs people when it thinks the photo uploaded may not meet strict requirements, which includes a plain expression and the mouth to be kept closed.
Joshua Bada, 28, used a high quality photo booth image to apply for his passport along with a digital code that he had to note down and enter on gov.uk. Joshua, from west London said that it was not the first time technology had issues with the size of his lips.
He said: ‘When I saw it, I was a bit annoyed but it didn’t surprise me because it’s a problem that I have faced on Snapchat with the filters, where it hasn’t quite recognised my mouth, obviously because of my complexion and just the way my features are. ‘After I posted it online, friends started getting in contact with me, saying, it’s funny but it shouldn’t be happening.’
