Microsoft Says It Won’t Sell Its Facial Recognition Tech To Police Without Federal Regulation

Microsoft Corporation refused today to sell its facial recognition technology to police departments until government regulations guarantee its “ethical use.”

Microsoft currently doesn’t sell facial recognition technology to police and confirmed this policy will continue until legislation “grounded in human rights,” is passed, Microsoft President Brad Smith said at a Washington Post live event.

WATCH:

https://twitter.com/postlive/status/1271116509625020417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer

The move came after Amazon declared Wednesday police won’t be allowed to use facial recognition technology for a year and IBM altogether cut its facial recognition technology endeavors Monday, CNBC reported. IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna and Amazon’s policies are calling for legislation to ensure the technology’s “ethical use,” CNBC further reported.

Companies began taking stances to address racial inequality when George Floyd’s death in police custody sparked protests on police brutality and racial injustice.

“We do not sell our facial recognition technology to U.S police departments today, and until there is a strong national law grounded in human rights, we will not sell this technology to police departments,” Microsoft stated, according to Reuters. (idk if necessary since redundant of WaPo).

Microsoft Corporation’s Office of Corporate Governance did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation for comment in time for publication.