Security News > 2020 > June > Congress proposes ban on government use of facial recognition software
The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would explicitly ban police from using the technology.
Members of Congress introduced a new bill on Thursday that would ban government use of biometric technology, including facial recognition tools.
There has been long-standing, widespread concern about the use of facial recognition software from lawmakers, researchers rights groups and even the people behind the technology.
Technology experts have been wary of outright bans on facial recognition software because it is already out in the marketplace and will be used no matter what.
"We assume that if a technology works for us, it will work for others who aren't like us-a wrong and dangerous assumption. I'm not a big fan of facial recognition technologies for other reasons as well. It automates surveillance without a legal or regulatory framework. It may well violate the individual's right to privacy because it denies citizens of the opportunity to give or withhold consent, and in doing so, infringes on the right to freedom of association, assembly, and expression. These are some reasons why-at a minimum-notification that facial recognition is in use is key, and preferably, consent should be requested and secured," Messdaghi said.