In 2018, the New York Police Department (NYPD) began equipping its officers with iPhones as part of a broader effort to modernize the department and improve transparency. These iPhones were equipped with a variety of sensors, including GPS, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, which collected data on officer movements, interactions with the public, and use of force.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, used this data to examine racial disparities in policing in New York City. The researchers found that black and Hispanic New Yorkers were more likely to be stopped, questioned, and searched by police than white New Yorkers, even when they were not suspected of any crime.

The researchers also found that black and Hispanic New Yorkers were more likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes than white New Yorkers, even for the same crimes. These findings suggest that there is a systemic bias against black and Hispanic people in the NYPD.

The researchers also found that the NYPD's use of iPhones did not lead to a decrease in racial disparities in policing. In fact, the researchers found that the use of iPhones may have actually increased racial disparities in some cases.

For example, the researchers found that black and Hispanic New Yorkers were more likely to be stopped and questioned by police officers who were using iPhones than by officers who were not using iPhones. This suggests that the use of iPhones may have made officers more likely to target black and Hispanic New Yorkers.

The researchers also found that black and Hispanic New Yorkers were more likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes by officers who were using iPhones than by officers who were not using iPhones. This suggests that the use of iPhones may have made officers more likely to target black and Hispanic people.

The researchers concluded that the NYPD's use of iPhones did not lead to a decrease in racial disparities in policing, and that it may have actually increased racial disparities in some cases. The researchers recommended that the NYPD take steps to address the systemic bias against black and Hispanic people in the department, and to ensure that the use of iPhones does not lead to increased racial disparities in policing.

The NYPD has responded to the study by saying that it is committed to addressing racial disparities in policing and that it will review the study's findings.