3-year ban on police use of facial recognition technology in California to start in the new year

[Elderberry]

American Military News by Katy Stegall 12/22/2019

Regional law enforcement agencies have used facial recognition technology for years to help them identify people who are either unwilling or unable to identify themselves. To do that, they run images taken with mobile devices against a database of nearly two million mugshots, looking for a match.

A new state law that goes into effect in the new year will put a temporary end to the practice, which some say poses ethical, security and privacy risks.

Assembly Bill 1215, prohibits officers and deputies throughout the state from using cameras for facial recognition and biometric surveillance. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in October. It will take effect Jan. 1.

AB 1215 comes as use of the technology has increased around the United States. Federal agencies use facial recognition at a variety of places including international ports of entry and airports, sparking concern among some segments of the public about privacy and civil rights issues. San Francisco and Oakland were among the first cities in the country to place specific bans on facial recognition technology, as was Somerville, Massachusetts.

In May, San Francisco passed its “Stop Secret Surveillance” ordinance, which banned city government agencies from using facial recognition technology. Months later, the Oakland City Council passed a similar ordinance, which prohibits city agencies, including police, from “acquiring, obtaining, retaining, requesting, or accessing” facial recognition technology, including if used by other police agencies.

More: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/12/3-year-ban-on-police-use-of-facial-recognition-technology-in-california-to-start-in-the-new-year/

[Smokin Joe]

Must not have enough crime.
While I can see issues for the general and law abiding public, anyone who watches Live PD or some such sees a number of folks who just won't ID themselves, and carry no ID.
You have your face in public, you can be photographed.
Some people could use that image to identify you (who know you).
While the tech may have some drawbacks for those who have felonious doppelgangers out there, it could speed identifying recalcitrant arrestees.
Even fake IDs are easy enough to obtain, although technology is making that harder to pass off.

[PeteS in CA]

Ubiquitous cameras - cell phones, home security - must be hurting the criminal community.

The way government at almost all levels is attacking law enforcement, maybe it's going to be "LEO Shrugged". Were I in law enforcement, I sure as Hades would not want to work in SF, Oakland, LA, Sacto, etc.!