Tech giant Amazon is facing accusations of violating UK sanctions by selling facial recognition technology to a Russian firm. The allegations come from a former Amazon employee, Charles Forrest, who recently filed a whistleblower lawsuit in a London employment tribunal.

Forrest claims that Amazon provided its Rekognition facial recognition software to VisionLabs, a Russian company. According to the lawsuit, the sale allegedly happened “through what appears to be a shell company based in the Netherlands.”

The whistleblower further accuses Amazon of breaching its self-imposed ban on police use of facial recognition technology. This policy was implemented in the wake of the George Floyd protests.

Amazon vehemently denies all the accusations. The company claims Forrest’s allegations “lack merit” and that they will “demonstrate that through the legal process.” They maintain that based on their records, Amazon Rekognition services were not sold to VisionLabs.

However, the company has not addressed whether VisionLabs might have acquired the technology through a third party.

Forrest’s dismissal from Amazon is another point of contention. The company claims he was fired for violating his employment contract by not working his designated hours and neglecting communication with colleagues. Forrest, on the other hand, maintains that his termination was retaliation for raising concerns about Amazon’s alleged wrongdoings.

The lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding facial recognition technology and its potential misuse. With the legal process underway, it remains to be seen if the allegations hold weight and how Amazon will respond to them.