Google has begun testing facial recognition technology for security purposes at its Kirkland, Washington campus. The company aims to prevent unauthorised access to its facilities.
The company’s security team, named – Google's Security and Resilience Services (GSRS) – will use the data to identify potential security risks . The system collects facial data from interior security cameras and compares it to employee badge images.
"There are protocols in place for identifying, reporting, and potentially removing known unauthorised persons to maintain safety and security of our people and spaces," a Google document stated, as reported by CNBC.
While the company claims the data is "strictly for immediate use and not stored," some employees at the Kirkland office have raised privacy concerns . Business Insider reported that one employee described the new system as "a little dystopian."
"A lot are concerned about facial data being stored by Google," the employee told Business Insider. "Data is extremely valuable." However, Google says that the facial data is “strictly for immediate use and not stored,”
While employees at the Kirkland testing site cannot opt out of facial screening when entering the building, they can request that their ID badge photos not be stored for comparison.
Google has faced security challenges in the past, including a 2018 incident where a woman opened fire at YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California, injuring three people.
The company has recently implemented other security measures , such as fences around parts of its Mountain View, California headquarters.
Some employees speculate that the new system could be a response to recent protests against Google's $1.2 billion joint contract with Amazon to provide services to Israel's government. These protests resulted in arrests and employee terminations .
A Google spokesperson told Business Insider that the company has been "testing and implementing new systems and protections to help keep our people and spaces as safe as possible" for years.
The company’s security team, named – Google's Security and Resilience Services (GSRS) – will use the data to identify potential security risks . The system collects facial data from interior security cameras and compares it to employee badge images.
"There are protocols in place for identifying, reporting, and potentially removing known unauthorised persons to maintain safety and security of our people and spaces," a Google document stated, as reported by CNBC.
While the company claims the data is "strictly for immediate use and not stored," some employees at the Kirkland office have raised privacy concerns . Business Insider reported that one employee described the new system as "a little dystopian."
"A lot are concerned about facial data being stored by Google," the employee told Business Insider. "Data is extremely valuable." However, Google says that the facial data is “strictly for immediate use and not stored,”
While employees at the Kirkland testing site cannot opt out of facial screening when entering the building, they can request that their ID badge photos not be stored for comparison.
Google has faced security challenges in the past, including a 2018 incident where a woman opened fire at YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California, injuring three people.
The company has recently implemented other security measures , such as fences around parts of its Mountain View, California headquarters.
Some employees speculate that the new system could be a response to recent protests against Google's $1.2 billion joint contract with Amazon to provide services to Israel's government. These protests resulted in arrests and employee terminations .
A Google spokesperson told Business Insider that the company has been "testing and implementing new systems and protections to help keep our people and spaces as safe as possible" for years.
