Senators want answers about Amazon's biometric data collection

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The Hill

A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Amazon Friday raising questions about its collection of biometric data.

The lawmakers are particularly interested in the expansion of the company’s palm print scanners program, Amazon One.

The scanners are used at Amazon stores to let customers pay without having to take out cards or cash if they enroll in the program.

 

 

“Recent reports indicate that Amazon is incentivizing consumers to share their biometric information with Amazon One by offering a $10 promotional credit for Amazon.com products,” Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) wrote to Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy.

“Amazon’s expansion of biometric data collection through Amazon One raises serious questions about Amazon’s plans for this data and its respect for user privacy, including about how Amazon may use the data for advertising and tracking purposes,” they continued.

The Hill has reached out to Amazon for comment on the letter.

The lawmakers are demanding the e-commerce giant respond to a series of questions about expansion of Amazon One and how data collected will be protected by the end of the month.