Key Points:
- Samsung’s Trademark Move: Samsung is seeking to trademark ‘Samsung Circular Loop,’ aiming to reinforce sustainability by reusing materials in electronics production.
- Advanced Facial Recognition: Samsung introduces facial recognition to prevent trade secret leaks, requiring multi-angle scans for remote access.
- Privacy Concerns: Labor unions express concerns over the invasive nature of Samsung’s new security measures.
Samsung is making strides toward sustainability with a new initiative called ‘Samsung Circular Loop.’ The company has applied to register this term as a trademark across major markets, including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The trademark filing suggests that Samsung aims to create a brand that embodies the concept of a circular economy—where old products are recycled into new ones, reducing the need for new raw materials.
The trademark application covers a broad range of electronic devices and accessories, from LED displays and virtual reality headsets to smartphones and smart wearables. It also includes services related to recycling, such as consultancy and information on waste management. Although the trademark doesn’t explicitly mention a closed-loop production system, it hints at Samsung’s ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability of its products.
In addition to its sustainability efforts, Samsung is also stepping up its security measures to protect trade secrets. The company is testing a new facial recognition system that requires remote workers to undergo multi-angle face scans before they can access Samsung’s systems. This technology will be used by employees working from home, as well as subcontractors and business travelers.
However, these new security measures have raised privacy concerns. The system not only verifies identity before granting access but also continuously monitors employees while they work. If the system detects that the employee has left their computer or that another person is in front of the screen, it automatically shuts down the monitor. Samsung’s labor union argues that these measures are excessive and invade employees’ privacy, treating them as potential criminals.
Despite these concerns, Samsung insists that these security measures are necessary to prevent leaks. In the past, the company has faced significant issues with the unauthorized distribution of trade secrets, including incidents involving Samsung Display’s OLED technology being leaked to competitors.
As Samsung continues to push for sustainability through initiatives like ‘Circular Loop’ and implements stronger security protocols, the balance between innovation and privacy will be critical to watch.
