California: No Face Recognition on Body-Worn Cameras

Today, we stand at a crossroads as face recognition technology can now be interfaced with body-worn cameras in real time.

Recognizing the impending threat to our fundamental rights, California Assemblymember Phil Ting introduced A.B. 1215. It will prohibit the use of face recognition, or other forms of biometric technology, such as gait recognition or tattoo recognition, on a camera worn or carried by a police officer for three years.

Ting’s bill has strong wind in its sails. The California Assembly passed the bill with a 45-17 vote on May 9, and only a few days later the San Francisco Board of Supervisors made history by banning government use of face recognition. Meanwhile, law enforcement face recognition has come under heavy criticism at the federal level by the House Oversight Committee and the Government Accountability Office.

The bill is now before the California Senate, where it will soon come up for a floor vote.

Tell your lawmakers in Sacramento to use this opportunity to evaluate the dangers of face surveillance, and prevent the threat of mass biometric surveillance from becoming the new normal.

Tell them to vote yes on A.B. 1215.