edited by: Shaurya Sharma
Last Update: December 29, 2022, 11:41 AM IST
Apple introduced the blood oxygen feature in 2020 with the Apple Watch Series 6. (Image: Apple)
Apple is facing a lawsuit alleging racial bias in its blood oxygen function on the Apple Watch, which allegedly does not accurately measure blood oxygen levels in individuals with darker skin tones.
Given its size, Apple is no stranger to lawsuits, and the company is now facing a legal complaint alleging racial bias in some of the flagship healthcare features offered with the Apple Watch.
In the Southern District of New York, a class action lawsuit has been filed alleging racial bias in the blood oximeter function on Apple’s smartwatch. The plaintiff, Alex Morales, claims that the watch in question does not accurately measure blood oxygen levels for individuals with darker skin, despite being advertised to be able to do so regardless of skin tone. Is.
Morales said he “expected that the product would not incorporate the biases and flaws of pulse oximetry with respect to individuals with darker skin” and that “as a result of the false and misleading representation, the product is sold at a premium price, not nearly as low.” Over $400, excluding taxes and sales.
Apple introduced the blood oxygen feature with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, with it being able to “measure your blood oxygen levels directly from your wrist, on demand,” according to Apple.
According to a report in The New York Post, the lawsuit also alleges that coronavirus pandemic, researchers used patients’ records to confirm the clinical significance of racial bias in pulse oximetry, and noted that “for decades, there have been reports that such devices measure blood oxygen based on skin color.” were much less accurate in measuring levels of
The New York Post reports that Apple has yet to issue any comment on the lawsuit. However, the company notes on its website that the Blood Oxygen app is “designed for general fitness and wellness purposes only.”
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