THREAD: ACLU-obtained docs reveal that Amazon is helping govts deploy its dangerous new facial recognition technology. Today 40 civil rights orgs are demanding Amazon prohibit govts from using this service, called Rekognition. 1/ aclunc.org/rekognition-an…
What is Rekognition? An AI-powered surveillance software capable of identifying people in photos and film in real-time against databases with tens of millions of face photos. It's being pitched as a way to track people, and it’s open to developers. 2/ 
Amazon advertises Rekognition to identify people in places such as airports, even as Americans protest at unprecedented levels. It encourages tracking “people of interest,” raising the risk that those branded suspicious by govts will be seen as fair game. 3/
Amazon’s marketing reads like a user manual for authoritarian surveillance – the company has even promoted its facial recognition for officer body cameras, a use that would fully transform tools for accountability into surveillance machines. 4/ web.archive.org/web/2018012505…
At the same time, we reached out to Amazon and explained our grave concerns. We were shocked at Amazon’s apparant inability to understand the implications of its own product. 6/
What we learned from the records: for far less than the monthly cost of Amazon Prime, a law enforcement agency can build a face surveillance system. This is exactly what the Washington County Sheriff in Oregon did. It also built an app for deputies to use. 7/
When Amazon learned the Oregon Sheriff had developed facial recognition, it offered product support. It solicited feedback for new features. It even signed a secrecy agreement with the Sheriff to discuss new features. /8
Shockingly, the Washington County Sheriff later cited that non-disclosure agreement to justify withholding records from the ACLU. But Amazon *checks notes* has previously opposed secret govt surveillance. arstechnica.com/tech-policy/20… 9/
Over in Orlando, Amazon offered $39k of free consulting services to build a “proof of concept” for Rekognition. Earlier this month, Amazon Rekognition’s Director describes Orlando’s system. It’s simply wow. 10/
Rekognition face surveillance is now operating across Orlando in real-time, according to Amazon Rekognition’s Director, allowing the company to search for “people of interest” as footage rolls in from “cameras all over the city.” 11/
Amazon says it analyzes this video in real-time and can track individuals, even the city’s mayor, Amazon says. Video here: 12/
People should be free to walk down the street without being watched by the government. Amazon’s Rekognition threatens this freedom in American communities. In overpoliced communities of color, it could effectively eliminate it. /13
As things stand, Amazon is doing next to nothing to prevent govts from using its service to harm American communities. Facial recognition is not a neutral tool, and Amazon’s failure to restrict how it’s used is a choice the company is currently making. /14
Amazon’s corporate mantra is all about putting customer’s first. And Jeff Bezos has personally supported the First Amendment and spoken out against the discriminatory Muslim Ban. Rekognition runs counter to all of those underlying values. /15
Amazon should prohibit governments from using Rekognition, full stop. Join our action and urge Amazon to act swiftly. ACTION aclu.org/amazon-stop-se… /END
Free advice: if your company’s marketing materials for its new AI-powered tech incorporates a crosshairs, that should sound an internal alarm. 🚨🚨🚨
