By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/amazon-tells-senator-its-considered-face-scanning-doorbells Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Amazon tells senator it’s considered face-scanning doorbells Nation Nov 19, 2019 3:56 PM EDT BOSTON — Amazon says it has considered adding facial recognition technology to its Ring doorbell cameras. The company is telling Congress that facial recognition is a “contemplated, but unreleased feature” of its home security cameras. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey wrote to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in September raising privacy and civil liberty concerns about Ring’s video-sharing partnerships with hundreds of police departments around the country. The Massachusetts Democrat also expressed alarm that Ring may be pursuing face-scanning technology that could flag certain people as suspicious. Markey released Amazon’s latest response Tuesday. Amazon’s initial response to Markey said Ring doesn’t currently offer facial recognition. But in a follow-up, Amazon said it frequently innovates based on customer demand and facial recognition is an increasingly common feature in cameras made by competitors such as Google. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
BOSTON — Amazon says it has considered adding facial recognition technology to its Ring doorbell cameras. The company is telling Congress that facial recognition is a “contemplated, but unreleased feature” of its home security cameras. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey wrote to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in September raising privacy and civil liberty concerns about Ring’s video-sharing partnerships with hundreds of police departments around the country. The Massachusetts Democrat also expressed alarm that Ring may be pursuing face-scanning technology that could flag certain people as suspicious. Markey released Amazon’s latest response Tuesday. Amazon’s initial response to Markey said Ring doesn’t currently offer facial recognition. But in a follow-up, Amazon said it frequently innovates based on customer demand and facial recognition is an increasingly common feature in cameras made by competitors such as Google. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now