Amazon is the world’s most valuable company by market value, and the world’s largest online retailer as measured by a composite score of revenues, profits, assets, and market value. Amazon specialises in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Amazon develops facial recognition technology (FRT) that is/can be used by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and other government agencies. The company also contributes to public debates on the potential regulation of FRT and its use by public institutions.
In 2016, Amazon developed Amazon Rekognition, an AI-powered facial recognition software which is continuously improved with new functionalities (including the ability to recognise human emotions). The service was or is used by US LEAs, most notably in Orlando, Florida, and Washington County, Oregon, and by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
Rekognition’s use by LEAs has been criticised due to privacy concerns and its contribution to bias policing and racial profiling. Despite such criticism, the company has refused to stop selling FRT to LEAs and stated it would be willing to sell the technology to foreign governments as well.
Amazon has also outlined its stance on FRT legislation, expressing support for calls for an appropriate national legislative framework that protects individual civil rights and ensures that governments are transparent in their use of FRT. It further stated that human review is necessary for the protection of human rights. LEAs must be transparent about their use of FRT and use a 99% confidence score threshold when they use it for identification, or in a way that could threaten civil liberties. Lastly, the company noted that it is the responsibility of those who deploy FRT to inform the public when video surveillance and FRT are used together in public or commercial settings.
- Supports the calls for an appropriate national legislative framework on FRT.
- Advocates for responsible use of FRT by governments.