L’App, a new dating platform designed specifically for lesbian women, has been set on a contentious path. Its founder, Jenny Watson, is planning to use facial recognition technology to prevent transgender women from creating accounts.
This facial recognition feature is engineered to analyze users’ unique attributes, such as bone structure, eyebrow placement, and nose formation, to distinguish cisgender women from trans women. Watson is confident in her technology’s abilities, claiming a 99% success rate.
The purpose of this unprecedented feature, according to Watson, is to satisfy the demand for a lesbian-exclusive dating platform. This technology aims to protect users from potential encounters with transgender men who may be mistakenly identified as women. It supposedly identifies such instances by tracking physical movements and examining thermal signatures.
It’s important to note that mainstream dating applications often incorporate an inclusive approach towards the transgender community, a stark contrast to Watson’s exclusive strategy.
Controversial lesbian app employs facial recognition.
Watson, however, alleges she has been expelled from these inclusive platforms due to her preference for women.
HER, a renowned dating app for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, has previously had similar disputes. Despite receiving criticism from male activists focusing on gender, HER has maintained its supportive stance towards the transgender and non-binary community. This commitment is a testament to HER’s dedication to fostering a safe, welcoming environment for all LGBTQ+ women.
Robyn Exton, founder and CEO of HER, has voiced disappointment over this gender-based criticism. She labels it as “absurd” and emphasizes that trans-inclusivity is a fundamental attribute of the app. Dismissing criticisms of gender bias, Exton indicates that HER has always worked towards promoting diversity and inclusivity. She accepts that there are areas for improvement and promises to strive further for inclusiveness and respect within the app.
