Google tech used in Israel’s genocide

Google, traditionally known as a champion of technology for human rights, is under fire over its silence concerning the use of its facial recognition technology in warfare. An anonymous Israeli official claims that Google Photos has been an essential tool in identifying alleged Hamas fighters in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.

This application of Google Photos, used to scrutinise nonwhite faces, violates the firm’s guidelines against promoting activities or information that cause serious harm to people. Human Rights Watch has added its voice to the controversy, stating that this kind of surveillance undermines internationally recognized rights of privacy, non-discrimination, and expression.

Alexandria Walden, Google’s Global Head of Human Rights, insists that their products and business decisions are guided by their dedication to human rights. Yet the use of Google Photos by the Israeli military has raised questions about this commitment. Actions contradicting Google's supposed upholding of the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are not new, with the firm caught selling advanced cloud computing and machine learning tools to the Israeli military in 2021 despite protests.

The heated debate over Google's conduct spotlights the ethical challenges tech companies face balancing business with human rights obligations. Critics argue that Google's conduct in such cases reveals a ruthless pursuit of profit, eclipsing the firm's proclaimed commitment to ethical conduct and responsibility.

- CyberBeat