Italy’s privacy regulator has ordered a local logistics unit of the e-commerce giant Amazon to stop using the personal information of more than 1,800 employees working at a warehouse northeast of Rome.
The authority also mandated that the unit, Amazon Italia Logistica, must cease processing any data collected through four specific video-surveillance cameras that were installed near bathrooms and break areas within the Passo Corese facility.
According to the watchdog, the information Amazon collected and shared with various managers included highly sensitive details. This encompassed data on medical conditions, trade union activities, and participation in strikes. It also included private family matters, such as information about sick relatives or marriage break-ups.
The regulator stated that this practice breached rules prohibiting employers from handling data that is irrelevant to the assessment of an employee’s professional skills. The ban was issued following inspections conducted at the site two weeks prior. It covers information collected during employment and that was being retained for periods of up to ten years. The authority added that it is currently investigating other potential violations.
In response, Amazon said it is examining the order with the “utmost attention.” The company stated, “The protection of personal data, particularly that of our employees, represents an absolute priority for us.” It vowed to promptly review its processes and procedures if any non-compliance issues are identified.
