Minneapolis Bans Police Use of Facial Recognition Software

Minneapolis Prohibits Facial Recognition Technology for Police

The city of Minneapolis has enacted a ban on the utilization of facial recognition software by its police department. This decision adds to the growing number of major cities establishing local limitations on this frequently debated technology.

Following the approval of the ordinance earlier in the week, a unanimous vote of 13 city council members confirmed the ban. There was no dissenting opposition to the measure.

Scope of the Ban

This new regulation prevents the Minneapolis Police Department from employing any facial recognition technology. This includes systems offered by companies like Clearview AI.

Clearview AI provides access to an extensive database of facial images, largely collected from prominent social media platforms. Their clientele includes federal law enforcement, private corporations, and numerous police departments across the United States.

The Minneapolis Police Department had an existing relationship with Clearview AI. However, the ban does not extend to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Context of the Decision

This vote represents a significant step for the city that became the epicenter of racial justice protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer last year.

Since then, Minneapolis has been actively pursuing police reform. Initially, the city pledged to defund its police department in June, but later shifted towards more gradual changes.

Concerns Regarding Facial Recognition

Restricting the use of facial recognition is a focused approach to address growing anxieties about potentially overreaching policing practices.

Privacy advocates have voiced concerns that these AI-driven systems could disproportionately impact communities of color. Furthermore, studies have revealed technical inaccuracies in the technology when identifying individuals with non-white features.

National Trend of Restrictions

Across the nation, cities are increasingly considering bans on this contentious technology, implementing restrictions in diverse ways.

Portland, Oregon, enacted laws last year that prohibit city bureaus from using facial recognition. These laws also prevent private companies from deploying the technology in public areas.

Prior legislation in San Francisco, Oakland, and Boston limited the use of facial recognition systems by city governments, but did not include comparable provisions for private sector use.

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