Amazon does not provide facial recognition software to the US police indefinitely. Last year, the company imposed a one-year supply freeze, but is extending that term without specifying an end date.
Amazon does not give a reason to Reuters for extending the supply freeze of Rekognition, its facial recognition technology, to the United States police. Last June, the company put that delivery on hold for a year, explaining that the company wanted stricter regulations for the use of facial recognition. Amazon then expressed the hope that the US Congress would soon come up with better regulation for the ethical use of facial recognition technology. These regulations are not yet in place.
The American civil rights organization ACLU is delighted that Amazon is no longer providing Rekognition. The organization links to last year’s criticism of the behavior of the US police at demonstrations after the death of George Floyd. Facial recognition technology, according to the ACLU, is hurting the US black community and has already led to wrongful arrests and charges. The ACLU wants President Biden’s government to stop police facial recognition altogether, regardless of which company it originates from.