French Regulator Slaps Amazon with €32 Million Fine for Invasive Surveillance of Workers
In a recent development, the French Data Protection Authority, known as CNIL, has imposed a hefty fine of €32 million ($35 million) on Amazon’s local operator in France. The penalty comes as a consequence of the company’s use of an “excessively intrusive” surveillance system to monitor its warehouse employees. This move by CNIL highlights the growing concerns surrounding employee privacy and surveillance in the workplace.
The CNIL stated that Amazon France Logistique equipped its warehouse staff with scanners that meticulously recorded their periods of inactivity and the speed at which they completed specific tasks. For instance, the scanners tracked how quickly employees removed items from shelves or put them away. However, the CNIL deemed this system to be “excessive” as it measured work interruptions with such precision that it potentially required employees to justify every break or interruption.
Amazon, on the other hand, strongly disagreed with CNIL’s conclusions and expressed its intention to file an appeal. The e-commerce giant argued that warehouse management systems, including surveillance measures, are industry standards necessary for ensuring safety, quality, and operational efficiency. According to Amazon, these systems are crucial for tracking inventory storage and package processing in a timely manner, aligning with customer expectations.
The scanners used by Amazon in France were programmed to measure whether a worker scanned an item within 1.25 seconds after scanning the previous item. The company justified this indicator by claiming that it ensured employees took enough time to store products safely and adhere to their safety guidelines. However, following CNIL’s inquiries, Amazon has decided to deactivate the collection of this data.
Additionally, the CNIL found that staff were considered “idle” if their scanners remained inactive for at least 10 minutes. Amazon defended this practice by stating that it allowed their teams to identify potential issues that could jeopardize operations or compromise employee safety. Nevertheless, the company has agreed to raise the threshold for logging “idle time” to 30 minutes.
Another indicator used by Amazon involved tracking interruptions in scanner usage, ranging from one to ten minutes. The CNIL criticized this system, stating that it kept employees under constant surveillance and subjected them to continuous pressure. Moreover, the regulator argued that this monitoring provided Amazon with a competitive advantage over other companies in the online sales market.
The CNIL’s investigation into Amazon’s practices in its warehouses was prompted by complaints from employees and multiple inquiries. In late December, the regulator fined Amazon France Logistique after discovering that the company had retained staff performance data for an excessive period of 31 days. The CNIL deemed this duration to be a violation of EU data protection laws.
While this fine specifically targets Amazon’s operations in France, it sheds light on the broader issue of worker surveillance and privacy. In the United States, Amazon has faced scrutiny for its working conditions, with employees raising concerns about long hours and intrusive monitoring by management. This case in France serves as a reminder that companies must strike a balance between operational efficiency and respecting the privacy and well-being of their employees.
As discussions surrounding worker surveillance continue, it remains to be seen how companies will adapt their practices to ensure compliance with privacy regulations while maintaining efficient operations. The outcome of Amazon’s appeal against the CNIL’s decision will undoubtedly have implications for the future of workplace surveillance and employee rights not only in France but around the world.
