The Background Blur API allows web developers to use the native platform's API for camera background segmentation. As Background Blur has become one of the most used features on video conferencing apps like Teams, Meet, Zoom, and Webex, we want web apps to leverage the same platform APIs without completely relying on ML frameworks like TensorFlow.js, Mediapipe, WASM libraries or cloud based solutions.
A vast majority of communication these days happens on our client devices. During video meetings, participants are usually aware of how they look and what their environment (usually their home) is revealing to the audience. Most folks, specially ones without a dedicated office space would be inclined to hide messy rooms with pets and kids. Video meetings like face to face meetings are important for non-verbal communication but participants would rather focus on the important subject by removing the distractions in the background and prevent any accidental snafus. Microsoft says in a 38 minute conference call, 13 minutes are wasted dealing with distractions and interruptions. Background Blur goes a long way to cutting down those disruptions. Zoom says- "When a custom virtual background is unavailable or not suiting your needs, but you still want to maintain some privacy with regards to your surroundings, the blur background option can be a great alternative. This option simply blurs the background of your video, obscuring exactly who or what is behind you. It's great for hiding a cluttered dorm room, taking a meeting in a coffee shop, or just keeping things professional." . In fact, NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre UK) suggests using background Blur or a background image for staff meetings to add a degree of personal privacy. On the Web, due to a lack of a stadardized JS AP
Docs: https://github.com/riju/backgroundBlur/blob/main/explainer.md https://googlechrome.github.io/samples/image-capture/background-blur.html
Samples: https://googlechrome.github.io/samples/image-capture/background-blur.html
Explainers: https://github.com/riju/backgroundBlur/blob/main/explainer.md