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Google is testing facial recognition expertise for workplace safety “to stop unauthorized people from accessing our campuses,” in response to an outline of this system seen by CNBC.
The primary check takes place in one in all Alphabet places in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, the doc mentioned. Residence safety cameras acquire facial knowledge and examine it to pictures saved on photographs of worker badges, together with the prolonged workforce, to assist decide if there are unauthorized individuals on the premises.
Google’s Safety and Resilience Companies (GSRS) group will use the info to assist determine individuals “who could pose a safety threat to Google’s individuals merchandise or places,” the doc mentioned.
“Protocols are in place for figuring out, reporting and doubtlessly eradicating recognized unauthorized people to make sure the protection of our individuals and areas,” it says.
On the Kirkland testing web site, individuals getting into the constructing can’t decide out of the facial screening. Nonetheless, the doc says the info is “for rapid use solely and won’t be saved,” and that staff can decide out of getting their ID photographs saved by filling out a type. Google advised CNBC that whereas ID badge pictures had been a part of the check, they won’t be used sooner or later.
“Our safety group has spent years testing and implementing new programs and protections to maintain our individuals and areas as secure as potential,” a Google spokesperson mentioned in an e-mail.
Google has skilled not less than one notable violent incident prior to now. In 2018, a lady opened hearth at YouTube’s workplaces in San Bruno, California, injuring three individuals. The shooter reportedly focused YouTube as a result of she “hated” the corporate for blocking her movies.
The Kirkland check comes at a delicate time for Google, which is on the heart of the synthetic intelligence growth and is quickly including AI to its portfolio of services. Facial recognition expertise is especially controversial because of the privateness issues surrounding surveillance.
In 2021, Google proposed new safety modifications, together with fencing round elements of its headquarters in Mountain View, California, particularly as building plans embody public areas and retail areas. Extra just lately, firm leaders have cited safety causes for slicing off entry to staff after a sequence of layoffs and protests over the previous yr.
In early 2023, the corporate introduced plans to chop about 12,000 jobs, or 6% of its workforce, in response to a downturn within the internet marketing market and a broader financial slowdown. Google just lately laid off extra staff and moved some tech roles to India and Mexico.
In a high-profile incident in April, Google fired greater than 50 staff following a sequence of protests over working situations on the firm and towards Mission Nimbus, Google’s cloud and AI contract with the Israeli authorities and navy. Workers staged a sit-in protest at workplaces in New York and workplaces in Sunnyvale.
Chris Rackow, Google’s vp of worldwide safety, advised an all-employee assembly final month that “intensive use of all our video digital camera footage” helped determine staff who the corporate mentioned had been disruptive and harassed their colleagues in the course of the protests. knowledgeable felt threatened and unsafe, in response to audio of the assembly obtained by CNBC.
Facial recognition expertise turned a prime challenge for lawmakers in 2020, following strain from civil rights activists and nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd. Amazon, Microsoft And IBM imposed restrictions on the sale of their expertise to police.
The next yr, Amazon was questioned by US senators over its use of worker surveillance after the corporate deployed AI-equipped cameras in supply vans. In April, warehouse staff sued Amazon, alleging the corporate illegally collected biometric knowledge, together with facial scans. And late final yr, the Federal Commerce Fee proposed banning Ceremony Help from utilizing facial recognition software program in its drugstores for 5 years to settle allegations that it improperly used the expertise to determine shoplifters.
Safety is a pricey endeavor for Google, not simply on campuses, however all the way in which to the highest of the corporate. In 2023, CEO Sundar Pichai’s private safety prices the corporate $6.8 million, in contrast with $5.9 million a yr earlier, regulators’ filings present.
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