An anonymous employee for tech giant Amazon recently posted an opinion article to Medium in which they argue that the sale of facial recognition software to police is wrong because "the product we’re selling is a flawed technology that reinforces existing bias."
Anonymous Amazon Employee Publishes Op-Ed Opposing Sale of Facial Recognition Tech to Police
An anonymous employee for tech giant Amazon recently posted an opinion article to Medium in which they argue that the sale of facial recognition software to police is wrong because "the product we’re selling is a flawed technology that reinforces existing bias."
October 18, 2018
1 min to read
In June, a group of Amazon employees posted to an internal company Wiki page a letter—later obtained by The Hill—asking company executives to discontinue its sale of the company’s Rekognition facial recognition software to law enforcement agencies.
The anonymous op-ed published this week rekindles opposition to the sale of that technology to police.
"Amazon, where I work, is currently allowing police departments around the country to purchase its facial recognition product, Rekognition, and I and other employees demand that we stop immediately," the opinion piece reads.
The employee wrote, "Amazon is designing, marketing, and selling a system for dangerous mass surveillance right now," the write states. "Amazon’s website brags of the system’s ability to store and search tens of millions of faces at a time. Law enforcement has already started using facial recognition with virtually no public oversight or debate or restrictions on use from Amazon."
More Patrol
5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights
Whether it’s time to buy a personal patrol light or make the decision for the next department-issued patrol light, what do you need to know? How do you weigh the different variables and make the best choice?
Read More →
Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders
Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.
Read More →
How are LE Boots Different for Women?
Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.
Read More →
Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile
A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.
Read More →
Registration Now Open for 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit
Registration is now open for the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit. The Summit is an opportunity to connect with local and federal leaders, specifically the FirstNet Authority, which is hosting a track at the event this year.
Read More →
Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE
Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.
Read More →
ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking
ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.
Read More →
GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms
GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.
Read More →
Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder
Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.
Read More →
Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis
The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.
Read More →