Paychex因数据泄露被起诉:数千员工信息遭曝光事件背景
2024年4月30日,知名薪资服务公司Paychex在与加利福尼亚州政府交换未认领财产信息时,意外曝光了大量雇员的个人信息。此次数据泄露事件导致成千上万名雇员的姓名、社会安全号码等敏感信息被未授权的个人获取。事件发生后,引发了广泛关注和担忧。
诉讼详情
2024年7月11日,纽约西区联邦法院收到了一起针对Paychex的集体诉讼。原告娜塔莉·史蒂文森(Natalie Stevenson)声称,Paychex未能采取足够的网络安全措施,导致未授权个人能够访问并窃取员工的个人信息。此次诉讼的核心指控是Paychex在数据安全方面存在严重疏忽,没有及时通知受影响的个人,从而加剧了受害者的潜在风险。
原告指出,Paychex在处理不直接与公司有关系的个人信息时,负有保护这些信息的责任。然而,公司未能实施足够的安全措施来防止数据泄露,违反了对受影响个人的信任。此次事件不仅给受害者带来了身份盗窃的风险,还导致了财务监控费用的增加以及其他相关损失。
受害者影响
据原告律师团队称,数据泄露事件对受影响的员工造成了以下几方面的损害:
身份盗窃风险增加:受影响的员工可能面临身份盗窃的直接威胁,导致个人信息被恶意使用。
财务监控费用增加:受害者不得不投入更多的时间和金钱来监控其财务账户,以防止欺诈活动。
精神损害:由于个人信息泄露,受害者承受了巨大的心理压力和不安。
数据价值损失:个人信息的泄露降低了这些信息的价值,并可能对受害者的未来造成不利影响。
法律责任
此次诉讼由Weitz & Luxenberg PC和Strauss Borrelli PLLC的律师团队代表原告发起。诉讼文件指出,Paychex未能履行其应有的安全义务,导致员工信息遭到泄露。原告要求法院判令Paychex赔偿受害者的实际损失,并采取必要措施,防止未来类似事件的发生。
具体而言,诉讼要求Paychex:
赔偿损失:包括因身份盗窃和财务监控增加的费用。
提供后续支持:为受害者提供信用监控服务和身份恢复支持。
改进安全措施:实施更严格的网络安全措施,防止类似数据泄露事件再次发生。
行业影响
此次事件并非孤立个例,近年来,越来越多的公司因数据泄露事件面临法律诉讼。数据安全已经成为各行业关注的焦点,企业需要不断提升其网络安全水平,以保护客户和员工的个人信息。
近年来,许多知名企业因数据泄露事件被起诉并支付了巨额赔偿。例如,HR供应商UKG因2021年的数据泄露事件而支付了数百万美元的赔偿。此外,餐饮连锁店Panera和新闻媒体Philadelphia Inquirer也因类似事件面临法律诉讼。
结论
此次针对Paychex的集体诉讼提醒企业必须高度重视数据安全。随着个人信息保护法律法规的不断完善,企业在处理和保护客户及员工信息时需更加谨慎。未来,企业应不断投资于网络安全技术和培训,确保信息安全管理体系的完善和有效运作。
对于受影响的员工而言,及时采取防范措施并寻求法律支持是应对数据泄露事件的重要步骤。受害者应密切关注其财务账户,并采取必要的信用监控措施,以减少身份盗窃带来的潜在损失。此次事件的法律进展将对未来类似案件的处理提供重要参考,也将促使企业进一步加强数据保护措施。
Paychex Sued for Negligence After Data Breach Exposes Workers’ Names and Social Security Numbers
Background
On April 30, 2024, Paychex, a leading payroll services provider, experienced a significant data breach while exchanging unclaimed property information with the State of California. This incident exposed the personal information of thousands of employees, including names and Social Security numbers. The breach has raised serious concerns about Paychex’s cybersecurity measures and its ability to protect sensitive data.
Details of the Lawsuit
On July 11, 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed against Paychex in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. The plaintiff, Natalie Stevenson, alleges that Paychex failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, which allowed unauthorized individuals to access and steal employees’ personal information. The lawsuit claims that Paychex’s negligence in data security practices and delayed notification to affected individuals have caused significant harm.
The lawsuit highlights several key points:
Negligence in Data Security: Paychex is accused of not having sufficient safeguards to protect personal information, leading to unauthorized access and data theft.
Delayed Notification: The company allegedly failed to promptly inform the affected individuals, exacerbating the potential harm caused by the breach.
Duty of Care: Paychex is argued to have assumed a duty of care to protect the personal information of employees, even if those individuals had no direct relationship with the company.
Impact on Victims
The data breach has had multiple adverse effects on the affected employees:
Increased Risk of Identity Theft: Exposed individuals are at a heightened risk of identity theft and fraud.
Financial Monitoring Costs: Victims have incurred additional expenses and time to monitor their financial accounts for suspicious activity.
Emotional Distress: The breach has caused significant stress and anxiety among those affected.
Loss of Data Value: The exposure has diminished the value of the victims’ personal information, potentially impacting their future security.
Legal Responsibility
The lawsuit seeks to hold Paychex accountable for its alleged failures and aims to secure compensation for the victims. Specifically, the lawsuit demands:
Damages: Compensation for financial losses and emotional distress suffered by the victims.
Support Services: Provision of credit monitoring and identity restoration services to the affected individuals.
Enhanced Security Measures: Implementation of stronger cybersecurity protocols to prevent future breaches.
Broader Industry Impact
This incident is part of a growing trend of data breach lawsuits targeting companies handling sensitive personal information. Similar cases have been filed against various organizations, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries. Notably, HR vendor UKG faced significant legal and financial repercussions following its 2021 data breach, illustrating the widespread consequences of inadequate data protection.
Conclusion
The Paychex data breach lawsuit underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity in protecting personal information. As data breaches become increasingly common, organizations must prioritize the implementation of comprehensive security measures to safeguard sensitive data. This case serves as a reminder to all companies about the legal and ethical responsibilities they bear in managing and protecting personal information.
For the affected employees, it is crucial to take proactive steps in monitoring their financial accounts and seeking legal advice to address potential identity theft and fraud. The outcome of this lawsuit will likely influence future data protection practices and set precedents for handling similar incidents.
资讯
2024年07月22日
资讯
法官允许针对 Workday 的人工智能偏见诉讼继续进行Workday因其AI筛选软件涉嫌偏见而面临集体诉讼。美国加州北区地方法院法官Rita Lin裁定,Workday可能被视为受联邦反歧视法律保护的雇主,因为它执行的筛选功能是其客户通常自己执行的。这一裁决可能会对使用AI进行招聘的法律责任产生重大影响。该诉讼由Derek Mobley提起,他表示自己因为是黑人、年龄超过40岁且患有焦虑和抑郁症而被Workday的客户公司拒绝了超过100次工作机会。EEOC警告雇主,如果他们未能防止筛选软件产生歧视性影响,他们可能会承担法律责任。
7月15日(路透社)——加利福尼亚的一位联邦法官驳回了Workday公司试图驳回一项拟议中的集体诉讼的请求。该诉讼称,Workday公司用于筛选其他企业求职者的人工智能软件中包含了现有的偏见。
在这一首例裁决中,美国地方法官Rita Lin于周五表示,Workday可以被视为受联邦工作场所歧视法律覆盖的雇主,因为它执行了其客户通常自己进行的筛选功能。
Lin拒绝驳回Derek Mobley在2023年提出的几项诉讼。Mobley声称由于他是黑人、年龄超过40岁并患有焦虑和抑郁症,他在与Workday签约的公司中申请了超过100个职位但都被拒绝。
此案是首个挑战使用AI筛选软件的拟议集体诉讼,可能会在使用AI自动化招聘和其他就业功能的法律影响上树立重要的先例。现在,大多数大型公司都在使用这种技术。
Lin驳回了Workday基于种族和年龄的故意歧视指控。她还裁定该公司不能被视为反偏见法下的“就业机构”,因为与人力资源公司不同,它不为工人提供就业机会。
Workday发言人在一份声明中表示,公司对Lin驳回部分指控感到满意。“我们有信心在进入下一阶段时能轻松驳斥剩余指控,因为我们将有机会直接挑战其准确性,”发言人说。
Mobley的律师没有立即回应置评请求。诉讼称,Workday使用公司现有员工的数据来训练其AI软件,以筛选最佳申请者,但没有考虑到现有歧视可能反映的问题。
Mobley指控Workday违反了1964年《民权法案》第七章(Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)和其他联邦反歧视法律,进行了种族、年龄和残疾歧视。拟议中的集体诉讼可能包括数十万人。
Workday表示,由于它不是Mobley的潜在雇主,也不是可以因歧视而被追责的就业机构,因为它不为客户做出招聘决定,因此不受工作场所偏见法律的约束。
但Lin在周五表示,反偏见法律旨在广泛保护工人,防止雇主将筛选申请者等任务外包以逃避责任,并且Workday可以作为其客户的代理人承担责任。
“(诉讼)合理地声称Workday的客户将包括拒绝申请者在内的传统招聘功能委托给Workday提供的算法决策工具,”民主党总统Joe Biden任命的Lin写道。
美国平等就业机会委员会(U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)负责执行联邦禁止工作场所歧视的法律,该机构在4月份的一份简报中曾敦促Lin让案件继续进行。该机构警告雇主,如果他们未能防止筛选软件产生歧视性影响,他们可能会被追究法律责任。
California Small Businesses Can Apply Now for Up to $2,000 Per Employee for Paid Family Leave Grants 加州小型企业现在就可以为每位员工申请最高 2000 美元的带薪探亲假补助金从2024年6月1日起,加利福尼亚州拥有1-100名员工的小企业可以申请每名员工高达2000美元的补助,用于应对员工使用加州带薪家庭假期(PFL)计划时增加的成本。加州的带薪家庭假期计划允许员工在需要照顾新生儿(通过出生、收养或寄养)或照顾重病家属时,享受最多8周的带薪休假。
这个补助计划旨在帮助企业应对员工休假期间的成本增加,例如培训现有员工、招聘和培训额外员工等。符合条件的企业必须在加州注册,在加州州务卿办公室处于活跃状态,并拥有一个有效的加州雇主账号。了解更多信息并申请补助,请访问CaliforniaPFL.com
Attention small businesses in California with 1-100 employees! If you have at least one employee who will be using California’s Paid Family Leave program on or after June 1, 2024, you may be eligible to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee on PFL. This grant is designed to help offset the increased costs you may face while the employee is on leave. California’s Paid Family Leave program allows workers to take paid leave to bond with a new child (through birth, adoption, or foster care) or to care for a seriously ill family member. Businesses impacted by this program may have increased costs, such as training and upskilling existing staff to cover the duties of the employee on leave, hiring and training additional staff, and other related expenses. For more information and to apply for the grant, please visit CaliforniaPFL.com.
LOS ANGELES--Small businesses across California can now receive grants of up to $2,000 per employee through California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. The online application is now open.
This initiative, funded by the California Employment Training Panel and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, aims to support small businesses in managing additional costs when employees take leave. These grants can help cover expenses such as cross-training existing staff and hiring and training new or temporary employees, ensuring business continuity during employee absences.
California’s PFL program provides eligible employees with up to 8 weeks of wage replacement benefits when they are off work for certain qualifying reasons, such as bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. The grant is available to small businesses with 1 to 100 employees that have at least one employee utilizing PFL on or after June 1, 2024.
Grants are available in the following amounts:
Businesses with 51–100 employees may receive up to $1,000 per employee utilizing Paid Family Leave.
Businesses with 1–50 employees may receive up to $2,000 per employee utilizing Paid Family Leave.
To qualify, businesses must:
Employ between 1 and 100 employees;
Be registered to do business in the State of California;
Be in active status with the office of the California Secretary of State;
Have an active California Employer Account Number under which employees are listed for payroll and
Have at least one employee on California’s Paid Family Leave on or after June 1, 2024.
For more information or to apply for a grant, visit CaliforniaPFL.com.
资讯
2024年06月25日
资讯
美国SEC控告纽约的AI招聘公司Joonko的创始人证券欺诈和电信欺诈概要:伊利特·拉兹(Ilit Raz),AI招聘公司Joonko的首席执行官和创始人,因涉嫌对投资者进行重大欺诈被美国证券交易委员会(SEC)及纽约南区美国检察官办公室指控。SEC指控拉兹通过虚假和误导性的声明欺骗投资者,包括夸大Joonko的客户数量和质量、平台上的求职者数量以及公司收入,涉嫌欺诈金额至少达到2100万美元。
Joonko公司自称利用人工智能帮助客户找到多元化和代表性不足的求职者,以达到其多元化、公平和包容的招聘目标。然而,拉兹向投资者提供了虚构的客户感谢信和赞誉其效果的假证据,甚至在被投资者质疑时提供了伪造的银行对账单和合同。这一骗局在2023年中期被揭穿,当时一名投资者面对面质问拉兹,拉兹承认伪造文件并撒谎关于公司的财务状况和客户基础。
SEC和刑事检察机关的指控显示,拉兹利用新兴技术领域的热潮,以人工智能和自动化等流行词汇吸引投资,实际上却进行了传统的欺诈行为。这一事件不仅揭示了创业公司在吸引投资时可能存在的道德风险,也提醒了投资者在追求人工智能等高科技领域的投资机会时需要格外谨慎。
总部位于纽约市的人工智能招聘平台Joonko的创始人及前首席执行官因涉嫌欺诈投资者,误导他们关于公司核心方面的信息,被控证券欺诈和电信欺诈。
美国证券交易委员会(SEC)在6月11日于纽约南区联邦地区法院提交的投诉中指控,这家现已关闭的人工智能招聘初创公司的创始人及前首席执行官伊利特·拉兹通过对Joonko的客户数量和质量、平台上的求职者数量以及公司收入等核心方面作出虚假和误导性陈述,从投资者那里骗取至少2100万美元(2022年9月有一篇融资B轮2500万美元的新闻点击可以查看)。
Joonko在2022年完成了由Insight Partners领投、包括Target Global、Kapor Capital和Vertex Ventures Israel等投资者参与的2500万美元B轮融资。《华尔街日报》报道称,该公司自2016年成立以来共筹集了超过3800万美元。Kapor Capital拒绝对此发表评论,而Insight、Target Global和Vertex Ventures Israel则没有回应《华尔街日报》的置评请求。
SEC指控拉兹违反了联邦证券法的反欺诈条款,要求对其实施永久禁令、民事罚款、返还非法所得及预审计利息,并禁止其担任公司高管。
与此同时,纽约南区美国检察官办公室也于6月11日宣布了针对拉兹的刑事指控。拥有以色列国籍的拉兹被控一项证券欺诈和一项电信欺诈,每项罪名最高可判20年监禁。
Joonko于5月24日在特拉华州美国破产法院申请破产保护。
根据SEC的投诉,Joonko声称使用人工智能帮助客户找到多元化和代表性不足的求职者,以实现其多元化、公平和包容的招聘目标。拉兹在筹资过程中向投资者谎称Joonko拥有超过100家客户——包括财富500强公司,并向投资者提供了几家公司的虚假感谢信,赞扬其效果。
拉兹还谎称Joonko的收入超过100万美元,正在与超过100000名活跃求职者合作,并在投资者怀疑时向其提供了伪造的银行对账单和伪造的合同。根据投诉,这一骗局在2023年中期被揭穿,当时一名投资者面对面质问拉兹,后者承认伪造了银行对账单和合同,并且在Joonko的收入和客户数量上撒谎。
SEC执行局局长古尔比尔·格雷瓦尔(Gurbir Grewal)在一份新闻稿中表示:“我们指控拉兹利用老式的诈骗手法,但使用了新式的流行词如‘人工智能’和‘自动化’。随着越来越多的人寻求人工智能相关的投资机会,我们将继续监管市场,防止今天投诉中所指控的类型的不当行为。但与此同时,对于那些利用人工智能的热潮来筹资的公司,投资者也应保持警惕。”
附录SCE的新闻稿:
Washington D.C., June 11, 2024 —
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Ilit Raz, CEO and founder of the now-shuttered artificial intelligence recruitment startup Joonko, with defrauding investors of at least $21 million by making false and misleading statements about the quantity and quality of Joonko’s customers, the number of candidates on its platform, and the company’s revenue.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Joonko claimed to use artificial intelligence to help clients find diverse and underrepresented candidates to fulfill their diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring goals. To raise money for Joonko, the complaint alleges that Raz falsely told investors that Joonko had more than 100 customers, including Fortune 500 companies, and provided investors with fabricated testimonials from several companies expressing their appreciation for Joonko and praising its effectiveness. Raz also allegedly lied to investors that Joonko had earned more than $1 million in revenue and was working with more than 100,000 active job candidates. When an investor grew suspicious of Raz’s claims, Raz allegedly provided the investor with falsified bank statements and forged contracts in an effort to conceal the fraud. According to the complaint, the scheme unraveled in mid-2023 when the investor confronted Raz, who admitted to forging bank statements and contracts and lying about Joonko’s revenue and number of customers.
“We allege that Raz engaged in an old school fraud using new school buzzwords like ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘automation,’” said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “As more and more people seek out AI-related investment opportunities, we will continue to police the markets against AI-washing and the type of misconduct alleged in today’s complaint. But at the same time, it is critical for investors to beware of companies exploiting the fanfare around artificial intelligence to raise funds.”
The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Raz with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and seeks a permanent injunction, civil money penalties, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and an officer-and-director bar against Raz.
In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York today announced criminal charges against Raz.
The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Alicia Guo, Ariel Atlas, Neil Hendelman, and Lindsay S. Moilanen and was supervised by Sheldon L. Pollock of the New York Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Ms. Guo and Ms. Atlas, and supervised by Daniel Loss and Mr. Pollock. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
华盛顿特区,2024年6月11日 — 美国证切和交易委员会(SEC)今日指控现已关闭的人工智能招聘创业公司Joonko的首席执行官兼创始人伊利特·拉兹(Ilit Raz),因在Joonko的客户数量和质量、平台上的候选人数量以及公司收入方面向投资者做出虚假和误导性陈述,欺诈投资者至少2100万美元。
根据SEC的投诉,Joonko声称使用人工智能帮助客户找到多元化和代表性不足的候选人,以实现其多元化、公平和包容的招聘目标。投诉称拉兹向投资者谎称Joonko拥有超过100家客户,包括财富500强公司,并向投资者提供了几家公司的虚构感谢信,赞扬其效果。拉兹还谎称Joonko的收入超过100万美元,并正在与超过100,000名活跃求职者合作。当一名投资者对拉兹的说法表示怀疑时,拉兹据称向该投资者提供了伪造的银行对账单和伪造的合同来掩盖欺诈行为。根据投诉,该骗局在2023年中期被揭露,当时该投资者直面拉兹,后者承认伪造银行对账单和合同,并且在Joonko的收入和客户数量上撒谎。
SEC执行局局长古尔比尔·S·格雷瓦尔(Gurbir S. Grewal)表示:“我们指控拉兹利用老式的欺诈手法,但使用了新式的流行词如‘人工智能’和‘自动化’。随着越来越多的人寻求人工智能相关的投资机会,我们将继续监管市场,防止今天投诉中所指控的类型的不当行为。但与此同时,对于那些利用人工智能的热潮来筹资的公司,投资者也应保持警惕。”
SEC的投诉已提交至纽约南区美国地区法院,指控拉兹违反联邦证券法的反欺诈条款,并寻求永久禁令、民事罚款、返还非法所得及预审计利息,并禁止其担任公司高管。
与此同时,纽约南区美国检察官办公室今天也宣布了针对拉兹的刑事指控。
SEC的调查由纽约地区办公室的艾丽西亚·郭(Alicia Guo)、阿里尔·阿特拉斯(Ariel Atlas)、尼尔·亨德尔曼(Neil Hendelman)和林赛·S·莫伊兰宁(Lindsay S. Moilanen)进行,并由谢尔顿·L·波洛克(Sheldon L. Pollock)监督。诉讼将由郭女士和阿特拉斯女士领导,并由丹尼尔·洛斯(Daniel Loss)和波洛克先生监着。SEC感谢纽约南区美国检察官办公室和联邦调查局的协助。
资讯
2024年06月15日
资讯
美国公民自由联盟对Aon人工智能招聘工具发起投诉美国公民自由联盟(ACLU)于2024年6月6日向美国联邦贸易委员会提交了针对Aon的投诉,挑战其候选人评估工具的合法性和偏见问题。ACLU指控Aon的评估工具,如Adept-15人格测试和vidAssess-AI视频评估工具,在市场上虚假宣称“无偏见”并能“增进多样性”,实际上这些工具可能基于种族和残疾(如自闭症和心理健康障碍)歧视求职者。此外,ACLU还提到,Aon的gridChallenge认知能力评估也显示出种族表现上的差异。针对这些指控,Aon回应称其评估工具遵循行业最佳实践和EEOC、法律及专业指导原则。ACLU此举揭示了在职场包容性与合规性之间的紧张关系,呼吁更严格审查这些广泛使用的人力资源技术工具。
在人力资源技术迅速发展的世界中,人工智能(AI)扮演着关键角色,承诺将简化流程并增强招聘实践的效率。然而,AI整合到这些实践中经常引发关于公平性和歧视的重大争议。最近的一个例子涉及到全球专业服务公司Aon,该公司的AI驱动的招聘评估工具因美国公民自由联盟(ACLU)的指控而受到审查。ACLU向美国联邦贸易委员会(FTC)正式投诉Aon,突显了关于AI在招聘中应用的重要对话。
ACLU投诉的基础
ACLU指控Aon欺骗性地营销其招聘评估工具——特别是Adept-15性格评估、vidAssess-AI视频面试工具和gridChallenge认知能力测试——这些工具被宣称为无偏见并有助于提高工作场所的多样性。根据ACLU的说法,这些声明不仅具有误导性,而且可能违法,因为这些工具可能会基于种族和残疾(如自闭症、抑郁症和焦虑症)歧视求职者。这些工具使用算法和AI进行评估,根据候选人的积极性、情感意识和活力等特征进行评估,这些特征往往与工作表现无直接关联,且可能对某些残疾人群产生不成比例的影响。
Aon的辩护和行业实践
面对ACLU的指控,Aon为其产品辩护,声称这些工具是根据法律和专业指南(包括平等就业机会委员会EEOC设定的指南)设计的。Aon强调他们的工具是雇主用于做出更具包容性招聘决策的更广泛评估工具集的一部分。此外,Aon还指出其工具的效率和成本效益,认为这些工具比传统方法更少歧视性。
法律和道德含义
这场争议引发了关于使用AI进行就业的重要法律和道德问题。美国的法律,包括美国残疾人法案(ADA)和民权法案第七章,要求就业中的非歧视实践,涵盖从招聘到工作场所的所有方面。ACLU向FTC的投诉不仅提示可能违反这些法律,还将问题框定为不仅是就业歧视,还涉及消费者欺诈的问题。
更广泛的行业关注
ACLU对Aon的行动是更广泛运动的一部分,旨在审查用于招聘的AI工具。批评者认为,虽然这些技术提供了无偏见决策的潜力,但它们常常缺乏透明度,并可能无意中编码了其开发者或它们所训练的数据集的偏见。这一问题由于这些工具的专有性质而变得更加复杂,这阻碍了对它们的公平性和效率进行彻底的公众评估。
潜在后果和改革
ACLU对Aon的投诸可能对人力资源技术行业产生深远影响。如果FTC决定调查或制裁Aon,可能会导致对AI在招聘中的使用进行更严格的监管,可能为整个行业中类似工具的市场营销和实施设定先例。对依赖这些工具的公司而言,此案可能是重新评估其算法以确保符合反歧视法律的关键提示。
此外,此案凸显了技术专家、法律专家、政策制定者和民权倡导者之间需要进行持续对话的需求,以确保AI的进步能够增强而非破坏工作场所的平等。随着AI继续渗透到各种人力资源方面,制定维护反歧视和坚持道德原则的标准和最佳实践将至关重要。
结论
ACLU对Aon的投诉提醒我们在AI时代,创新、监管和权利之间的复杂相互作用。虽然AI为HR提供了变革的潜力,但它也需要谨慎处理以防止新形式的歧视。这个案例可能会成为AI在招聘伦理辩论中的一个里程碑,促使所有利益相关者考虑其技术选择的更广泛影响。随着法律程序的展开,人力资源技术行业将密切关注,意识到AI在招聘中的未来现在受到更审慎的公众和法律审视。
Unveiling Bias: The Controversy Over Aon's AI Hiring Tools and the ACLU's Challenge
In the rapidly evolving world of human resources technology, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role, promising to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of hiring practices. However, the integration of AI into these practices often sparks significant debate regarding fairness and discrimination. A recent example of this controversy involves Aon, a global professional services firm, whose AI-driven hiring assessment tools have come under scrutiny by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU's allegations against Aon, leading to a formal complaint to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), underline a critical dialogue about the implications of AI in hiring.
The Basis of the ACLU’s Complaint
The ACLU has accused Aon of deceptively marketing its hiring assessment tools — specifically the Adept-15 personality assessment, the vidAssess-AI video interviewing tool, and the gridChallenge cognitive ability test — as bias-free and conducive to improving diversity in the workplace. According to the ACLU, these claims are not only misleading but also potentially unlawful, as the tools may perpetuate discrimination against job seekers based on race and disabilities such as autism, depression, and anxiety. These tools, which utilize algorithmic processes and AI, are said to evaluate candidates on traits like positivity, emotional awareness, and liveliness, which are often not directly relevant to job performance and may disproportionately affect individuals with certain disabilities.
Aon’s Defense and Industry Practices
In response to the ACLU's claims, Aon has defended its products by asserting that they are designed in compliance with legal and professional guidelines, including those set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Aon emphasizes that their tools are part of a broader array of assessments used by employers to make more inclusive hiring decisions. Moreover, Aon points to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their tools, arguing that they are less discriminatory than traditional methods.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The controversy raises significant legal and ethical questions about the use of AI in employment. U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, mandate non-discriminatory practices in employment, covering all aspects from hiring to workplace accommodation. The ACLU's complaint to the FTC, an agency tasked with protecting America’s consumers and competition, suggests potential violations of these laws, framing the issue not only as one of employment discrimination but also of consumer deception.
Broader Industry Concerns
The ACLU's actions against Aon are part of a larger movement to scrutinize AI tools used for hiring. Critics argue that while these technologies offer the potential for unbiased decision-making, they often lack transparency and can inadvertently encode the biases of their developers or the data sets they are trained on. This issue is compounded by the proprietary nature of these tools, which prevents a thorough public assessment of their fairness and effectiveness.
Potential Repercussions and Reforms
The outcome of the ACLU’s complaint could have far-reaching implications for the HR technology industry. A decision by the FTC to investigate or sanction Aon could lead to more stringent regulations governing the development and use of AI in hiring, potentially setting a precedent for how similar tools are marketed and implemented across the industry. For companies that rely on these tools, the case may serve as a critical prompt to reevaluate their algorithms to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
Moreover, this case highlights the need for ongoing dialogue between technologists, legal experts, policymakers, and civil rights advocates to ensure that advancements in AI serve to enhance, rather than undermine, workplace equality. As AI continues to permeate various aspects of human resources, the development of standards and best practices that safeguard against discrimination and uphold ethical principles will be crucial.
Conclusion
The ACLU's complaint against Aon is a reminder of the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and rights in the age of AI. While AI offers transformative potentials for HR, it also demands a cautious approach to prevent new forms of discrimination. This case may well become a landmark in the ongoing debate over AI ethics in hiring, urging all stakeholders to consider the broader implications of their technological choices. As the legal proceedings unfold, the HR technology industry will be watching closely, aware that the future of AI in hiring is now under a more discerning public and legal microscope.
资讯
2024年06月06日
资讯
参会必读:北美华人人力资源夏季论坛日程及会议注意事项
各位参会嘉宾,非常欢迎参加NACSHR北美华人人力资源夏季论坛!
为营造良好的会议氛围,帮助大家尽快熟悉会议安排以及会议相关行政事宜,特别分享论坛相关注意事项如下,烦请了解和熟悉!
2024北美华人人力资源夏季论坛
会议时间:2024年6月8日-9日 周六周日 (9:00-17:00)
签到时间:6月8日 周六8点半开始签到
会议地点:Sonesta Silicon Valley 1820 Barber Lane Milpitas, CA 95035 (停车可以直接绕道会议中心后面停车场,后面附录地图)
赞助合作伙伴:言信律师事务所介绍 中国南方航空
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会场外景和地图
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资讯
2024年05月31日
资讯
美国一家IT人力资源公司因招聘信息中注明“仅限当地社区白人”申请,被求职者投诉种族歧视,被罚款概览:2023年3月,Arthur Grand Technologies发布了一则仅限“美国出生的白人公民”申请的招聘广告。经调查,这是一名心怀不满的员工报复公司的行为。公司总部位于弗吉尼亚州阿什本,是一家小型弱势企业。美国司法部和劳工部认定公司违反了相关法律,处以7500美元罚款,并向31名应聘者支付共计3.1万美元的赔偿金。公司否认批准广告,并称其为员工个人行为,已立即解雇该员工。首席执行官重申对多样性的承诺,并采取措施防止类似事件再发生。
本周,美国司法部和劳工部经调查后,对该公司处以7500美元的民事罚款,并命令其向31位应聘该职位的人,每人支付1000美元,总计3.1万美元的赔偿金。
经过调查,这起招聘启示的发布,竟然是该公司一位员工为了报复公司所为。
背景
2023年3月,Arthur Grand Technologies Inc.发布了一则招聘广告,明确要求“只有美国出生的公民(白人)”和居住在德州达拉斯60英里以内的人,才能申请“Salesforce业务分析师和保险理赔职位”。此外,招聘启事中还规定,求职者不得与其他候选人分享信息。
本周二(2024年5月28日),Arthur Grand Technologies Inc.与美国政府部门达成和解协议。根据协议,该公司将支付7500美元的民事罚款,并赔偿每位应聘者1000美元,总计3.1万美元。
公司背景
Arthur Grand Technologies Inc.是一家总部位于弗吉尼亚州阿什本的IT人力资源公司。公司的注册地址是一个两层楼的办公大楼,距离杜勒斯国际机场约10英里。根据美国政府的记录,该公司被认证为联邦承包商名录中的一家“小型弱势企业”。要获得这种资格,公司的大部分所有权必须归“一名或多名弱势人士”所有,这些人必须在社会和经济上处于弱势地位。
员工行为
司法部称,Arthur Grand Technologies Inc.否认公司批准了这条招聘信息,并称该信息是由一位“心怀不满的印度招聘人员”所发布,目的是让公司陷入麻烦。据悉,这位员工因处于绩效改进计划(PIP)中不满,于是为了报复公司,通过其个人电子邮件地址和账户发布了这则招聘。
法律依据
美国司法部认定,该公司违反了《移民和国籍法》,因为其发布了“只要求在美国出生的求职者”的招聘信息,非法地阻止了在美国境外出生的美国公民以及某些有资格工作的非公民申请岗位。与此同时,美国劳工部表示,经调查该公司违反了第11246号行政命令,该命令禁止联邦承包商在就业方面基于种族、肤色、宗教、性别、性取向、性别认同或国籍进行歧视。
司法部声明
司法部民权司助理司法部长Kristen Clarke宣布达成和解协议时表示:“在21世纪,我们仍然看到雇主使用‘仅限白人’和‘仅限美国出生’的招聘启事,排除其他符合条件的有色人种候选人,这是可耻的。司法部将与其他政府机构合作,继续追究雇主违反我国联邦民权法的责任。”
公司回应
Arthur Grand Technologies Inc.的首席执行官Sheik Rahmathullah表示,公司没有承认任何罪行或不法行为,同意司法部和劳工部协议,只是为了避免诉讼给公司带来的重大财务损失和长期业务中断。
Rahmathullah解释道:“这些协议不应被解释为公司承认有罪或有不当行为。引发舆论的招聘启事是‘未经授权发布的’。我们为公司所有高级领导职位都由有色人种担任,并且超过80%的员工是有色人种而感到自豪。”
他补充说道:“我们立刻采取了果断措施,确保这种事情不再发生,包括立即解雇负责的员工。对于此次事件造成的任何伤害,我们深表歉意,并承诺做出有意义的改变,以恢复我们社区和利益相关者的信任和信心。”
资讯
2024年05月29日
资讯
言信律师事务所介绍——NACSHR夏季论坛赞助合作伙伴言信律师事务所 介绍:
美国言信律师事务所位于世界中心曼哈顿, 是一个精耕美国移民案子的律师事务所。我们代理过的客户从上市公司、小型初创企业到个人,我们的目标是致力于为申请人提供最新、最合适的移民策略。
THE LAW FIRM OF ATTORNEY PENG
我们的行业经验
彭律师事务所自成立以来专注于美国移民法业务。 作为新移民的生活引领者,精心办理EB-1、EB-5、O1、L-1、以及职业移民等各类移民案件。 此外,他们还为客户提供一系列移民项目。 通过投资、创业、科技、艺术等多元化移民路线,为数以万计的家庭和个人架起通往美国的桥梁。
我们对结果的承诺
创始人彭律师不仅拥有10多年办理美国移民的经验,而且擅长办理疑难案件。 入管局有很多主观判断因素。 彭律师拥有充足的过往申请案例,对各种被移民局拒绝的“疑难杂症”有深入的研究,从而准确评估申请人,通过上诉让申请起死回生。
我们的理念
彭律师事务所为申请人提供了诚信、专业、高效、满意的服务,得到了广大客户的高度认可。 但我们深知,客户的每一次移民都是对整个家庭和未来的重大计划和改变。 因此,每个项目提交前,团队都会对申请人进行全面评估,并对项目的法律文件进行严格审核,让移民变得安全、高效。
我们的经验
当案件涉及不同领域的法律时,我们将与相应领域的专业团队合作,提供赢得案件的关键行业资源,设计稳定的解决方案,确保客户在案件申请过程中得到有效的支持。
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