May 12, 2022
Google has unveiled a palette of 10 skin tones that will be vital for apps that eliminate skin bias.
The 10-shade skin tone known as the Monk Skin Tone Scale will replace a flawed standard of six colors known as the Fitzpatrick Skin Type.
Google has started applying the new tech with beauty-related Google Images searches such as “bridal makeup looks” which allows filter results based on Monk.
The push for new skin tones came after researchers discovered that Fitzpatrick which was predominantly used in the tech industry showed color bias by underrepresenting people with darker skin.
Google noted in 2021 that it was working on an alternative as it looks to eliminate bias and give room for more inclusion.
The company teamed up with Harvard University sociologist Ellis Monk, who studies colorism and had felt dehumanized by cameras that failed to detect his face and reflect his skin tone.
Monk and Google surveyed around 3,000 people around the United States and found that a large number said a 10-point scale matched their skin, as well as a 40-shade palette, did.
Monk using Photoshop and other digital art tools was able to curate 10 tones.
The sources for this piece include an article in Reuters.
