Western Union's disclosure includes detailed protocols for supplier due diligence and vendor risk oversight, ensuring that its supply chains are free from forced labor and modern slavery. This reflects an ethical approach to managing supply chain risks and protecting human rights.

PDF Western Union's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for 2023

The document emphasizes rigorous supply chain ethics by mandating due diligence for vendors and third-party partners to prevent forced labor practices, reinforcing the company's commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible business practices.

PDF Western Union's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for 2023

Western Union's participation in the TRAC program is seen as enabling repressive surveillance technology, thereby contributing to state overreach and the erosion of privacy rights. This involvement is particularly concerning from an anti-authoritarian perspective, as it supports a framework that could be exploited for oppressive political control.

NEWS & UPDATES | FISA REFORM | PPSA - Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability

Western Union's documented lobbying efforts, as evidenced by the OpenSecrets profile, demonstrate a pronounced engagement in influencing U.S. legislative processes. This long-term use of corporate resources for lobbying raises concerns about the prioritization of corporate interests over democratic accountability, aligning with broader patterns of financial influence that can undermine fair political representation.

Western Union Profile: Lobbying • OpenSecrets

Western Union's admission of criminal violations—including failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and neglecting to stop fraudulent activities by agents—demonstrates severe ethical lapses in business practice. The substantial $586 million forfeiture and the requirement to overhaul its fraud prevention measures indicate a significant failure in corporate responsibility that harms consumers and undermines regulatory trust.

Western Union forfeits $586M for AML violations and consumer fraud

Western Union's failure to maintain an effective AML program, including inadequate due diligence on agent relationships and delays in filing suspicious activity reports, represents a significant breach in business ethics and regulatory compliance. Such negligence not only undermines financial transparency but also creates vulnerabilities that could indirectly facilitate the financing of illicit and potentially extremist activities.

FinCEN Fines Western Union Financial Services, Inc. for Past Violations of Anti-Money Laundering Rules In Coordinated Action with DOJ and FTC

The distribution of funds to defrauded victims represents a remedial action that addresses past corporate misconduct. While the initial fraudulent practices caused harm, this step—mandated by a DoJ settlement—helps restore financial justice for vulnerable populations and reinforces the necessity of corporate accountability.

Another $40m Dispersed to Western Union Fraud Victims

Western Union's reluctance to promptly address the misconduct of its agents contributed to widespread fraud that adversely impacted vulnerable communities. By failing to suspend or terminate agents complicit in scams—ranging from grandparent to romance fraud—the company effectively enabled predatory practices. This negative business practice reflects a broader failure in ethical responsibility and corporate accountability.

Western Union Remission Fund distributes approximately $40 million to victims in the United States and abroad

Western Union’s statement highlights a proactive vendor risk oversight program and adherence to international standards, ensuring that its supply chains are free from human trafficking and forced labor. This detailed approach to monitoring and managing supply chain risks reinforces ethical sourcing and improved labor practices.

PDF Western Union's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

The company’s data sharing practices, as evidenced by its role in the TRAC database, demonstrate a form of complicity in state surveillance without judicial oversight. This involvement reflects negatively on public and political behavior by enabling mass surveillance that undermines civil liberties and disproportionately targets marginalized populations.

US Senator calls for probe into law enforcement mass surveillance

The disclosed lobbying spend of $740,000 in 2023 demonstrates that Western Union is investing significant resources in influencing federal policy. From an anti-fascist perspective, this kind of corporate political engagement can unduly empower private interests in shaping laws and regulations, potentially undermining democratic accountability and progressive reforms.

Western Union Lobbying Reports • OpenSecrets

The recorded lobbying expenditure of $740,000 in 2023 indicates that Western Union is actively engaging in political lobbying. Such spending can be seen as an effort to sway public policy in favor of corporate interests, potentially undermining democratic accountability and marginalizing community and worker interests. This behavior aligns with concerns regarding corporate political influence.

Western Union Lobbying Profile • OpenSecrets

By continuing to provide sensitive customer data under government pressure, Western Union failed to uphold ethical standards and adequately protect customer privacy. This practice raises concerns about the company’s commitment to human rights and consumer protection.

How the Arizona Attorney General Created a Secretive, Illegal Surveillance Program to Sweep up Millions of Our Financial Records

Western Union’s admission to failing to maintain an effective AML program and to curb fraudulent practices reflects a significant ethical and operational failure. The company’s decision to forgo corrective action against high-fraud agents and to continue practices that enabled consumer fraud indicates a systemic neglect of its responsibility to protect vulnerable populations. This failure in business practices undermines consumer trust and prioritizes profits over ethical responsibility, which is indicative of corporate behavior that can indirectly fuel harmful economic structures.

Western Union Admits Anti-Money Laundering and Consumer Fraud Violations, Forfeits $586 Million in Settlement with Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission