The UK government is set to deploy facial age estimation technology at the border, raising questions about its accuracy and potential bias. An internal report obtained by WIRED and Lighthouse Reports highlights significant flaws in the technology, especially when it comes to Sub-Saharan African migrants.

Tim Cole, an emeritus professor of medical statistics, describes the system as 'hideously inaccurate.' The Home Office claims it will be used ‘as a tool’ but does not clarify how it plans to handle uncertainty. Critics fear it could lead to children being placed in adult detention centers and denied vital protections.

The technology has already been employed in various online age verification programs, often with poor results due to factors like image quality and algorithmic bias. Despite these concerns, the Home Office is pushing ahead, citing the need to ‘crack down on fake claims’ of immigration.

While the system may be designed as an 'additional' tool for border officers, its potential to profoundly impact individuals’ lives makes it a concerning development in technological governance.