The measures were implemented as part of the company’s fight against the easily spread COVID-19 coronavirus, according to the suit. But the company never informed its workers that it was collecting biometric identifiers through its facial recognition scans, and it never obtained their consent before requiring them to submit to the practice, the complaint alleged.
Amazon knew through biometric privacy litigation in 2019 over its Alexa devices that its coronavirus safety actions directly violated BIPA, but the company “implemented and continued [its] practice of violating [workers’] legal rights without regard to the law,” the lawsuit claimed.
Amazon’s conduct also raises “a material risk” that third parties will unlawfully access workers’ biometric information, it alleged.
Representatives for the parties didn’t immediately respond Wednesday to requests for comment.
Redd is represented by Ryan Stephan of Stephan Zouras LLP.
Amazon is represented by Ryan Spear, Susan Donnelly Fahringer, Debra Bernard, Erin Earl and Kathleen Stetsko of Perkins Coie LLP.
