The United States Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today asked Microsoft, Amazon and Google to pledge not to sell their facial recognition technology to the government.
In a statement, the group of 85 associations and activist groups explained that it has sent three letters to the technology companies to “make it clear” that providing facial recognition software to the government “threatens the safety of community members and will also undermine confidence in the community.” the business”.
“We are at a crossroads with facial surveillance, and the decisions made by these companies will determine if the next generation should fear that the government will continue to go to a protest, to their place of prayer or simply to live their life,” said the Director of Technology and Civil Liberties, Nicole Ozer.
In its letters to the main heads of technology companies, the coalition emphasizes that facial recognition “allows the Government to point out immigrants, religious minorities and people of color”, exacerbating “historical and current prejudices.”
Google recently announced that it will not sell such software until the risks of the technology are recognized, something also highlighted the president of Microsoft, Brad Smith.
On the other hand, Amazon has insisted on selling the technology to the Government despite the notices from different authorities, the statement continues, and although its chief executive, Jeff Bezos, has acknowledged that its products could be “misused”.
The coalition led by the ACLU includes associations such as the Union for Civil Liberties of New York, various associations in defense of the rights of Muslims and Human Rights Watch (EFEUSA).
