Massachusetts: Hit the Pause Button on Face Surveillance

Massachusetts has a long history of standing up for liberty. Right now, it has the opportunity to become a national leader in fighting government use of face surveillance.

Face surveillance poses a threat to our privacy, chills protest in public places, and gives law enforcement unregulated power to undermine due process. Massachusetts bills S.1385 and H.1538 would place a moratorium on government use of face surveillance, until the legislature passes measures to regulate these technologies, protect civil liberties, and ensure oversight of face surveillance use.

Polling from the ACLU of Massachusetts has found that 91 percent of likely voters in the state support government regulation of face recognition surveillance and other biometric tracking. More than three-quarters, 79 percent, support a statewide moratorium. This is the moment to tell your lawmakers that you feel the same.

Lawmakers need to hear that the people of Massachusetts don’t want this flawed and dangerous technology in their communities. Tell your legislators to support S.1385 and H.1538 and press the pause button on government use of face surveillance.