ANTOINE GRIEZMANN has ended his partnership with long-term sponsor Huawei over their alleged involvement in Uighur persecution.
The tech company – along with artificial intelligence experts Megvii – are alleged to have tested a facial recognition system that could be used to detect Uighur Muslims wanted by the Chinese government.
Antoine Griezmann has cut his ties with long-term sponsor HuaweiCredit: AFP or licensors
Huawei and AI experts Megvii are alleged to have tested a facial recognition system that could be used to detect Uighur Muslims wanted by the Chinese governmentCredit: AFP or licensors
Earlier this year, widespread reports suggested China has detained up to a million people in ‘re-education camps’ to help integrate the minority of Uighur Muslims into the country’s socialist society.
There are claims of torturing, forced labour and sterilisation along with reports of deaths in what many see as cultural genocide.
A number of groups have slammed China for the alleged human rights violations, with Arsenal star Mesut Ozil speaking out earlier this year.
The use of the Huawei-Megvii software could see an ‘Uighur alert’ sent to the authorities to detect Uighur Muslims using ‘face attribute analysis’.
A document produced by both companies in 2018 revealed Megvii software had been tested on Huawei hardware to see if they were compatible.
Chinese company Huawei have since claimed the feature is NOT being used in real-world scenarios.
But France international and Barcelona star Griezmann has opted to end his commercial relationship with the company amid the allegations, urging them to ‘take action’.
Griezmann wrote: “Following strong suspicions the Huawei company have contributed to the development of an ‘Uighur alert’ thanks to a facial recognition software, I am announcing that I am putting an immediate end to my partnership linking me to this company.
“I am taking this opportunity to invite Huawei to not just be happy with denying these accusations but to implement action as quickly as possible to condemn this mass persecution and use its influence to contribute to respecting rights of men and women throughout society.”
According to CNBC, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hit out at the allegations, calling them ‘purely slander’.
The ministry spokesperson said: “I would like to emphasise, to use modern tech products and big data to improve social management is a general practice of international community, including countries in America and Europe.
“Legal use of facial recognition in public areas in some parts of China is to improve social management, effectively prevent and attack criminal acts.
“China doesn’t go any further than countries in America and Europe.
“And the measures are not targeting any particular ethnic groups.
“The measures strengthen social security, thus earn support from people of all ethnic groups.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
