Racial Injustice in App Development

The app development industry, like many others, faces issues of racial inequality Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are often underrepresented in tech roles, and systemic biases can be perpetuated through the apps we use daily. When the voices of diverse communities are not included in their development, these tools risk reinforcing stereotypes and excluding certain groups.

Underrepresentation of BIPOC Developers

The underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in app development highlights a critical disparity in the tech industry. Despite the growing influence of technology in shaping society, systemic barriers, such as limited access to quality education, mentorship, and funding opportunities, hinder BIPOC individuals from entering and thriving in this field. This lack of representation not only perpetuates inequities but also results in a narrower range of perspectives in app design, leading to products that may fail to address the needs of diverse communities. Addressing these disparities requires a collective effort to create inclusive educational pathways, diversify hiring practices, and provide equitable resources to support BIPOC developers in contributing to the digital landscape..

Bias in Algorithms

Biased algorithms disproportionately impact marginalized communities by perpetuating and amplifying systemic inequalities. These biases often arise from training data that reflects historical discrimination or underrepresentation, leading to algorithms that produce unfair outcomes. For example, facial recognition software has been shown to misidentify people of color at significantly higher rates than white individuals, resulting in wrongful arrests or surveillance. Similarly, hiring algorithms may penalize candidates from underrepresented backgrounds if past hiring practices favored dominant groups. These algorithmic decisions, when applied at scale in areas like law enforcement, hiring, healthcare, and credit scoring, can reinforce social disparities and limit opportunities for already disadvantaged groups. Addressing these biases requires greater transparency, ethical oversight, and inclusive data practices in algorithm design..

Take Action

Here are some ways to address racial injustice in app development:

Learn more about this topic by visiting Code2040, an organization working to empower BIPOC in tech.

Created by Ms. Ryer: January 2025.