Technological Advancements
While AI is popularly referenced in terms of Machine Learning, AI actually encompasses a wide variety of technologies. The Spectrum of Artificial Intelligence published by our partners at The Future of Privacy Forum is an excellent resource that details the different types and uses of AI, their relation to one another, and the ways in which AI exists within the timeline of human knowledge and development.
Artificial Intelligence
Further understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) bias, facial recognition technology, deepfakes, uses against and benefits for LGBTQ+ communities.
Facial Recognition
The accuracy of facial recognition technology is very much in question especially when it comes to identifying trans and non-binary individuals where the identification error rates are staggeringly high.
AR/VR/XR
LGBTQIA+ individuals often struggle to access healthcare services that are informed and inclusive of their identities. Because of this, many rely on the internet to find health information and adequate healthcare providers.
The Spectrum of Artifical Intelligence
This paper aims to assist the development of any of these approaches by making clear some of the terms, relationships, and functions of AI, and how they might be impacted by differing restrictions. Any regulatory efforts should be made with the best understanding of how different systems, use cases, applications, and ultimately individuals, will be affected.
Facial Recognition
Facial Recognition:
Technology capable of matching a subject's face from an image or video against a database of images of faces.
Facial Detection:
Technology that can identify human faces in digital images, commonly used in many applications, is part of facial recognition technology but isn't necessarily the same.
Facial De-identification:
Technology that conceals or removes identifying information in images or videos in order to prevent the disclosure or use of data by facial recognition technology.
Carlos Gutierrez
Deputy Director & General Counsel
LGBT Tech
The accuracy of facial recognition technology is very much in question especially when it comes to identifying trans and non-binary individuals where the identification error rates are staggeringly high. Facial recognition technology disparately impacts minority communities such as the LGBTQ+ community and its use by law enforcement and other federal agencies must be halted until the civil rights, privacy and bias issues triggered by this technology have been adequately addressed and regulated. Congress should act quickly to address these issues.
LGBT Tech Supports Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act
On June 25, Senators Edward Markey and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Ayanna Pressley announced the "Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act," a piece of legislation that would curtail law enforcement's use of facial recognition and biometric technology.
Relevant Articles
Coalition Letter Calling for a Federal Moratorium on Face Recognition
In this letter to the House Oversight and Reform Committee, the ACLU led over 60 privacy, civil liberties, civil rights, and investor and faith groups in urging Congress to put in place a federal moratorium on face recognition for law enforcement and immigration enforcement purposes until Congress fully debates what, if any, uses should be permitted.
LGBT Tech Recently Published in TechCrunch Discussing the Harms Associated with Facial Recognition Technology
In response to recent developments in technology and the over looming threat of facial recognition technology as a whole, Carlos Gutierrez published an article in TechCrunch to address the subject. The OpEd addresses the growing privacy concerns associated with the currently unregulated facial recognition technology being utilized by a growing number of companies, law enforcement, and government agencies.
LGBT Tech Signs ACLU Letter on Facial Recognition
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released their letter to the House Oversight and Reform Committee calling for Congress to place a federal moratorium on law enforcement's and immigration enforcement's use of facial recognition technology, until Congress can debate it's potential use. LGBT Tech is proud to join the ACLU and 60 other organizations in urging Congress to take action against facial recognition's use.
AR/VR/XR LGBT
Explore the ways that extended reality, augmented reality, and virtual reality provide new opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community, and understand the risks associated with these developing technologies.
Augmented Reality (AR):
​An interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory.
Virtual Reality (VR):
Virtual reality is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment, education and business.
Extended reality (XR):
A term referring to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology and wearables
How do XR/AR/VR Technologies benefit the LGBTQ+ community?
Research already shows that LGBTQ+ individuals are early adopters of technology (more than 80% of LGBTQ+ respondents say they utilize social media, compared to 58% of the general population) and that one major way that the LGBTQ+ community has grown and organized has been through the adoption of technology for community building and connection.
​
​VR technology has the potential to be the next frontier in the LGBTQ+ community’s efforts for visibility, awareness, and community building.
#PrideForEveryone
The #PrideForEveryone movement allows people who cannot attend pride events in person or who do not have pride celebrations nearby to join in on the celebration through VR technology.
Community
VR technology is still a growing field, and most of its potential for LGBTQ+ individuals remains to be unlocked, but as shown, it can help LGBTQ+ individuals in multiple ways. These benefits can include promoting LGBTQ+ community building while lessening social anxiety, depression, and loneliness. It can also be a safe escape where people can be themselves without fear of violence or discrimination. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is and will soon be possible using XR technologies.
Safe Spaces
Community-based interactive games in VR can give LGBTQ+ individuals a safe space to freely try on different gender expressions in a way that feels life-like.
It Takes A Village To Build The Metaverse
LGBT Tech's Carlos Gutierrez speaks on the use of XR/AR/VR technologies for the LGBTQ+ community at AWE USA 2022
Challenges in XR for the LGBTQ+ Community
Research already shows that LGBTQ+ individuals are early adopters of technology (more than 80% of LGBTQ+ respondents say they utilize social media, compared to 58% of the general population) and that one major way that the LGBTQ+ community has grown and organized has been through the adoption of technology for community building and connection.
​
​VR technology has the potential to be the next frontier in the LGBTQ+ community’s efforts for visibility, awareness, and community building.
VR Harassment and Abuse for LGBTQ+ Individuals
-
For younger and more vulnerable LGBTQ+ individuals, virtual reality harassment and abuse can be particularly painful since it can trigger memories of real-life bullying.
-
Over 200 respondents in a 600-person study suffered homophobic and sexist abuse in VR, according to Jessica Outlaw.
-
Safety protocols and standards are already in place to reduce harassment and abuse, and companies develop more sophisticated tools for detecting and banning abusers daily.
-
In some apps players have the option to block intruders by turning on a “force field” to prevent others from invading their space.
-
With online apps and games’ anonymity, it isn’t easy to control who enters the virtual space and how they act. Cyberbullying is difficult to combat, in VR or otherwise.
Risks to LGBTQ+ User Privacy
-
The unauthorized use, sale, or leak of sensitive data can harm LGBTQ+ people, especially those who aren’t out.
-
VR applications capture far more personal biometric data than traditional online channels, such as fingerprints, face geometry, and eye scans.
-
In the event of a system breach, there is always a danger that individuals’ faces and surroundings may be collected and utilized for unauthorized purposes.
-
Private data leaks can be alarming for the LGBTQ+ community. This is especially concerning for those from countries without LGBTQ+ protections.
-
VR companies can use or sell your data as they see fit, and users must check each company’s privacy policy.
-
VR apps and systems must be transparent about users’ privacy rights and continue strengthening privacy and security measures.
Lack of Inclusivity
-
By default, many platforms and apps are predominately heterosexual spaces Rarely do VR games with customizable avatars offer alternatives for LGBTQ+ players. This dissuades LGBTQ+ players from using VR.
-
Due to the high cost of VR technology, LGBTQ+ individuals in under-resourced communities and the Global South who would benefit from virtual therapy and supportive virtual environments are left out.
Horizon Worlds
We created an LGBT Tech pride parade in Horizon Worlds so that our community can celebrate Pride Month all year long!
Innerworld
We teamed up with Innerworld to facilitate bi-weekly LGBTQ+ support groups in the Metaverse. This built-for-wellness VR world is an alternative to traditional therapy environments, providing unlimited access to peer support. We also created a dedicated space in Innerworld for private or LGBT Tech hosted events. communities.
AR Clothing
We partnered with Ukrainian-based FFFACE to create augmented reality (AR) clothing. The LGBT Tech branded t-shirt has an added digital layer that comes alive with the help of an Instagram filter.
