Virus Projects Renew Questions About UAE’s Mass Surveillance
By: AP News July 9, 2020 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Efforts by the United Arab Emirates to fight the coronavirus have renewed questions about mass surveillance in this U.S.-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms. Experts believe the UAE has one of the highest per capita concentrations of surveillance cameras in the world. From […]
The Arbiters of Truth in the Digital Age
There has been much ado recently about whether social media platforms are, or should be gatekeepers of information, thereby acting as arbiters of truth. Currently, platforms like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo and Tiktok perform several functions that arguably do install them squarely in the gatekeeper seat: Content moderation – requires judgment by these platforms, […]
Amazon Halts Police Use Of Its Facial Recognition Technology
By: NPR June 12, 2020 Amazon announced on Wednesday a one-year moratorium on police use of its facial-recognition technology, yielding to pressure from police-reform advocates and civil rights groups. It is unclear how many law enforcement agencies in the U.S. deploy Amazon’s artificial intelligence tool, but an official with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon confirmed […]
The Global Implications of “Re-education” Technologies in Northwest China
By: Newlines Institute June 08, 2020 Since May 2014, when Chinese Communist Party Secretary Zhang Chunxian announced the People’s War on Terror in the Uighur region, Chinese technology firms have received billions of dollars in Chinese state capital to build a comprehensive Muslim “re-education” system in Northwest China. Over the same period of time they have created a […]
Protests Renew Scrutiny of Tech’s Ties to Law Enforcement
By: Wired June 02, 2017 THE COLLECTIVE OUTRAGE over the murder of George Floyd has led to nationwide protests, renewed calls for police reform, and uncharacteristically swift support for racial equity from Silicon Valley leaders. The backlash has been swift as well. Critics are calling out many companies now pledging support for Black Lives Matter, accusing them of […]
Creepy Technologies Invade European Workplaces
By: Bloomberg May 22, 2017 A “Romware Covid Radius bracelet” beeps every time a Tata Steel Ltd. worker in the U.K. or a docker at Belgium’s Antwerp port is within virus-catching distance of someone. At Bouygues SA construction sites and in Sanofi and Schneider Electric SE offices in France employees enter after thermal cameras check […]
Goldman Sachs reviews role in Chinese tech firm Megvii
By: BBC News October 9, 2019 Goldman Sachs will review its involvement in the planned stock market listing of Chinese artificial intelligence firm Megvii. The US has blacklisted the company, alleging it is “implicated” in the repression of Muslim minorities. Megvii, best known for its facial recognition algorithms, is reportedly seeking a valuation of up to […]
Coronavirus is the first big test for futuristic tech that can prevent pandemics
By: vox Feb 27, 2020 The novel coronavirus that first appeared in mainland China has now spread across the world, with more than 82,000 reported cases and nearly 3,000 deaths, as of Thursday. And right alongside the outbreak is the deployment of myriad types of AI-powered tech that is now being put on full display. New technology like infrared thermometers […]
EU Mulls Temporary Ban on Facial Recognition Technology
By: Tech Jan 18, 2020 Facial recognition is on the cusp of its biggest ban yet, as the EU is reportedly mulling over the idea of enacting a temporary ban on the technology until the risks can be appropriately managed. In 2020, it’s safe to say that facial recognition technology is a bit controversial. Activists […]