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

[Pontiac]

Maybe so.

But it still seems to be the first place to check.

[CIB-173RDABN]

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

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No. The article states it was Apple that put the crooks face to his identity. They bare some responsibility in his being falsely arrested.

How much that responsibility is going to cost them will be decided in court (or some pre-trial deal).

[Reno89519]

While $1B seems over the top, the problem is very serious and impact life changing. I hope the attorney is competent enough to win.

[kjam22]

The reason it has to be a billion is because apple has a gazillion billion. It has to be punitive

[Reno89519]

What is a reasonable amount to (1) address the direct and indirect injury and impact and (2) to punish and deter the company and police for their actions? For Apple, even a billion dollars has zero impact and won’t be noticed. A sufficient amount, maybe 10% of their wealth, they’d take notice and be more care, change their ways, etc.

[PapaBear3625]

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.

Or worse. If a nervous cop thinks he's arresting a wanted felon, and you reach for your ID in your wallet, you could wind up getting killed.

[rarestia]

Was meant to be a joke.

[sparklite2]

I had a roommate who carried a pistol inside his jacket.

Some rowdy teens harassed him on the road, so he gave them the finger. They forced him to pull over. He got out of his car and went to the other driver’s window. As they were arguing, my friend reached inside his jacket and was alarmed to find he wasn’t packing that day.

His gesture, though was sufficient to terrify the punk, who peeled away.

[Blue Jays]

"...Or worse..."

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Completely agree, PapaBear3625. You are absolutely correct with the exact roadside scenario you have described.
In my locale there is no shortage of 24 y.o. police officers all jacked-up on steroids...which further compounds the issue.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I don’t see it. A guy using his identity is stealing from their stores so they turn over the identity info with a picture of the thief to the police. The police arrest this kid (whose identity was used) who looks nothing like the picture of the thief. Apple should not report theft?

[Fresh Wind]

Bah humbug!

[precisionshootist]

Exactly! Officer sees him reach to get his wallet and thinks he’s reaching for a gun then shoots the kid 12 times and then claims the kid did not immediatly comply. Two days later there are fifty people on freerepublic defending the officers actions. People have been brainwashed to accept the police state.

[Gamecock]

[Bitman]

smart cop

That might be the root of the problem. A bit of an oxymoron.

[Blue Jays]

"...People have been brainwashed to accept the police state..."

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Completely concur. This is exactly how tragic preventable accidents happen.
The totally innocent person has no idea the officer is viewing a console indicating they are a "felon" wanted in multiple states.

[bgill]

Good. Hope he wins. Of course, Apple will delay, delay, delay payment.

[CIB-173RDABN]

At this point we do not have enough information to do more then speculate. That is why we have courts.