Amazon’s employee surveillance practices are once again under scrutiny, as a viral TikTok video has shed light on the company’s use of in-van cameras and AI systems to monitor its delivery drivers, Yahoo News reported. The video, posted by TikTok user @ambergirts, has sparked controversy for its depiction of what is being described as a dystopian work environment, where drivers are constantly monitored and evaluated for infractions such as not buckling up “enough” or taking one hand off the wheel to drink coffee. Amazon’s 360 “driver i” camera reportedly tracks what’s happening on each side of the van, as well as inside the cockpit, and can flag drivers for a variety of violations.
According to a 2021 report from The Information, Amazon’s AI-driven driver tracking system not only keeps drivers in a state of constant scrutiny but also determines their pay. Drivers who violate safety rules can face pay reductions, with some infractions counting 10 times as high as others. The system is also highly sensitive, as TikTok user @ambergirts noted in her video. One co-worker was reportedly cited for reaching up to scratch his beard, as the system flagged it as talking on the phone. Despite Amazon’s claims that the cameras are implemented for safety reasons and that drivers can dispute any violations, many drivers reportedly “pretty much hate” the system.
Amazon began equipping its “last mile” delivery vehicles with cameras in 2020 and plans to have them implemented in all branded vehicles by April 2023. The cameras are supposed to track everything from how close drivers get to other vehicles to whether they “fully stop” at stop signs. While the cameras turn off when drivers go on break, they are still a source of concern for many employees, who see them as yet another example of the company’s invasive surveillance practices. Amazon has been criticized in the past for its treatment of delivery drivers, with accusations of pocketing drivers’ tips while also being insensitive to drivers’ pleas when faced with animal attacks or while working in dangerous weather conditions.
In conclusion, Amazon’s use of in-van cameras and AI systems to monitor its delivery drivers has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the company’s invasive surveillance practices. While Amazon claims that the cameras are implemented for safety reasons, many drivers reportedly dislike the system and feel that it puts them under constant scrutiny. The issue is just one of many controversies surrounding Amazon’s treatment of delivery drivers.
Meanwhile, Amazon responded to the accusation stating: “The safety technology in delivery vans help keep drivers and the communities where we deliver safe, and claims that these cameras are intended for anything else are incorrect. Since we started using them, we’ve seen a 35% reduction in collision rate across the network along with a reduction in distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, sign and signal violations, and drivers not wearing their seatbelts.”
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in the world of technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles as well, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. Motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot and maybe I’ll make a film sometime in the future.