Amazon shareholders agree to sell facial recognition technology to law enforcement
According to the latest documents submitted by Amazon to US regulators, shareholders demanded that Amazon stop selling its facial recognition technology to government customers, and eventually ended in disastrous defeat.
Only about 2.4% of the shareholders voted for the proposal, and if they want to pass the proposal, at least 50% of the shareholders' consent is required. In addition, if you want to take steps to invite shareholders to vote on the proposal, you need at least 5% shareholder support.
Another proposal to ask Amazon to conduct an independent human rights assessment of its facial recognition technology also failed. Only about 27.5% of shareholders voted for the proposal.
Amazon has been criticized for its facial recognition technology, Recognition, because it has been accused of discriminatory behavior and is inaccurate – they say the technology could be used to discriminate against minority groups.
Last year, Recognition facial recognition technology was installed at airports, public places, and police departments, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expressed its “deep” concern for the first time. Amazon also sells this product to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
Despite the growing popularity of civil liberties such as ACLU and public support for Amazon, Amazon's senior employees have majority ownership and voting rights, making it difficult for any external shareholder to raise objections. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos hold a 12% stake in the company. The voting rights of Amazon's four major institutional investors add up to be similar to Bezos.
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