After Amazon Rekognition Report, Senators Prod Federal Police Agencies

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; and Ed Markey, D-Mass., wrote 39 federal law enforcement agencies Friday asking for details about use of Amazon’s Rekognition, the facial identification technology criticized for racial bias (see 1807260037). The lawmakers said the technology is attractive to police, but “comes with inherent risks, including the compromising of Americans’ right to privacy, as well as racial and gender bias." The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secret Service and U.S. Capitol Police were among those queried. Amazon Thursday questioned the methodology of the American Civil Liberties Union, which alleged racial bias.