KATHERINE RAJWAR
TECHNOLOGY’S IMPLICIT RACIAL BIAS: INSTAGRAM FILTERS, SECURITY AND FACIAL RECOGNITION
NON-FICTION
Here’s a question — why is my Instagram so intent on making me look white? Filters, to some extent, have become an integral part of the user experience on social media. Since the app’s development in 2010 — yes, you read that right, Instagram is more than a decade old — we’ve become accustomed to enhancing our photography through the lenses of Gingham, Moon, Juno and Lark. In 2016, the launch of Instagram stories changed the game entirely. At first, flower crowns and puppy ears seemed like a fun enhancement to ye olde mundane selfie, but the inclusion of so-called 'beauty' filters point to something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface. Augmented reality filters have already received much criticism for perpetuating unattainable beauty standards. I can take a photo right now and transform my real face into a pore-less, blemish-free, baby-faced beauty. There are several accounts of dysphoria around these filters, suggesting that there’s an inherent disconnect between the user’s physical appearance and the version of their face which they have manipulated using the app. What’s more, several plastic surgeons have encountered clients who request that their filtered face be used as a reference point for cosmetic surgery procedures.1 There are, of course, inherent arguments which can be made in favour of these filters — namely the confidence boost which they can provide users with. Particularly with regards to influencer led campaigns, using a filter to appear more professional and put together is no different to a television show host donning a face of makeup to appear on screen.
96
“MANY OF THESE ‘ENHANCEMENTS’ OFFERED BY BEAUTY FILTERS ARE GLARINGLY IN FAVOUR OF EUROCENTRIC BEAUTY STANDARDS.” The effects of these filters can seem slightly damaging, yet ultimately harmless, especially when your beautified face is accompanied with cat paws and a funny voice. This seems to be the case, until we acknowledge that many of these 'enhancements' offered by beauty filters are glaringly in favour of Eurocentric beauty standards. Right, let me explain. As I write this, I have the front camera open on my phone, and before me sits my face, via Instagram. Using the browse filter option, I’ve searched broadly for 'beauty.' There are a few commonalities offered in all the filters I can choose from. The first is that my skin, while smoother, is significantly lighter. Secondly, my bone structure has changed dramatically. I have cheekbones that could cut glass. My eyes appear far lighter, and perhaps more alarmingly, my quintessential south Asian nose, inherited from my Indian grandfather, is gone. In its place sits a high-tipped, tiny, Kylie Jenner-esque nose, staring me in the face. I hate to admit this, but then returning to an unfiltered selfie is somewhat alarming. My own flaws glare back at me — my brown skin, my blemishes, my nose, my eyes (now a lot less opened). But it’s just an illusion, right? Just a bit of fun? There’s a blatant issue here, one in which Instagram regards certain features as 'flaws' and others as 'enhancements.' This begs the question: can technology be racist? Oh yes, my friend, yes it can. Allow me to elaborate. Instagram is
