Hewlett-Packard’s “racist” webcam worries
Hewlett-Packard could have very easily made it onto Mumbrella’s Marketing Disasters of the Year list, if the debacle over its ‘contrast’ sensitive webcam had hit Australia.
It involves an African American man, named Desi, posting a video on YouTube demonstrating how his new HP computer – complete with face-tracking software – doesn’t appear to work when he uses it.
But when his Caucasian work colleague named Wanda tries it out, the webcam works perfectly.
In the clip, Desi says: “I’m black. I think my blackness is interfering with the computer’s ability to follow me… I welcome responses as to why the HP web cam does not pick up Negros.”
The incident is already gaining coverage around the world, including Australian blogs and the mainstream media.
Tony “Frosty” Welch, HP’s lead social media strategist had this to say on the company blog:
We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose.
We believe that the camera might have difficulty ‘seeing’ contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting. While we work on this, take a look here for more information on the impact of lighting on facial tracking software, and how to optimize your webcam experience.”
The worst part for Desi? He’s already bought one for Christmas.
Camille Alarcon
Linkedin
nice viral social media/PR stunt HP. no-one will seriously believe the product is intentionally racist, no brand damage
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@sven,
I agree. In fact, if you watch the video, the guy is having a laugh – it’s tongue-in-cheek. That’s what I found so amusing about it, as the guy clearly thinks it’s funny and doesn’t seem at all offended.
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As another Black person, having heard about this on KFI-640 in Los Angeles and then watching the video, I am impressed with how fast ” news ” travels. Let’s speculate on how many people of color try this same test in their local computer stores.
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Just watch the latest “Better off Ted” episode on Foxtel. The whole show was about a newly installed security system with cameras not being able to detect black people.
Don’t know who was first with this idea but it’s obvious one copied the other.
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The “Better Off Ted” version was definitely funnier!
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Only an idiot, or someone looking for an excuse for conflict, would consider this campaign racist.
Lighten up, people. It doesn’t matter what colour we are, an ability to laugh at ourselves is a survival skill.
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