Jun 10, 2024 20:00:00

Former AWS employee accuses Amazon of violating sanctions by providing facial recognition technology to Russian companies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Since Russia began its

invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country has been subject to sanctions from countries around the world. A former employee of Amazon Web Services (AWS) has leaked that Amazon, a global technology company, sold facial recognition technology to Russia after sanctions were imposed on the country.

Amazon breaches UK's Russia sanctions, claims ex-employee at tribunal
https://www.ft.com/content/f28377a1-432b-4f29-8544-e5ec7ac1cab9

Whistleblower claims Amazon violated UK sanctions by selling facial recognition tech to Russia
https://www.engadget.com/whistleblower-claims-amazon-violated-uk-sanctions-by-selling-facial-recognition-tech-to-russia-125001230.html

Amazon accused of breaching UK sanctions by selling facial recognition tech to Russia
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/06/07/amazon-breaching-russia-sanctions-facial-recognition-tech/

Charles Forrest, a former AWS employee, filed a lawsuit in June 2024 at an employment tribunal in London, England, alleging that he was unfairly dismissed by the company in 2023 after whistleblowing allegations that AWS had engaged in misconduct on multiple issues between November 2022 and May 2023.

According to Forrest, Amazon signed a contract to provide access to its facial recognition technology, Amazon Rekognition , to the Russian company VisionLabs . Forrest also claimed that AWS illegally provided facial recognition technology to Russian state security agencies after the UK imposed sanctions on Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In court filings, Forrest said Amazon conducted transactions with VisionLabs through what appeared to be a shell company based in the Netherlands.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson denied the allegations, saying, 'We believe the allegations are without merit and intend to prove them through the legal process. Based on the available evidence and billing records, AWS has not sold Amazon Rekognition to VisionLabs.'

Amazon also denied that it had unfairly fired Forrest, saying it had 'fired him for 'serious misconduct,' including refusing to work contracted hours, not responding to emails, and not attending meetings.'

In addition, Forrest criticized Amazon for 'violating the ban on police use of facial recognition technology' that was put in place after the death of George Floyd .

Specifically, Forrest claims that British police continued to use Amazon Rekognition to process facial images and identify criminals, even after Amazon implemented an internal 'police ban on facial recognition technology.'

What is Amazon Rekognition? - YouTube


In response, Amazon stated that it was 'difficult to determine when and to whom the information allegedly disclosed, the legal obligations relied upon, or related failures were made. ' It further stated that its 'self-imposed moratorium does not violate any legal obligations,' and that it did not knowingly provide facial recognition technology to police agencies.