San Francisco, becomes the first city in the United States that prohibits the government from the use of facial-recognition technology.
The ban is a part of larger anti-surveillance ordinance that is approved by the supervisors of city board. This will likely cause the same step to be taken by local government. Use of Facial-recognition systems is growing everywhere and widely used by officials of police departments, homes, schools and public gathering like rock concerts. These recognize specific people from live or recorded video feeds or still photos, by associating features with a set of faces.
As per the new rule by San Francisco, use of facial-recognition technology by 53 department of city is forbidden. The department include the San Francisco Police Department. However, there is an exception that allow federal authorities to access information in San Francisco International Airport and the Port of San Francisco.
Use of own security camera in business and residents are excluded from the law. Also, there is no limit on police from accessing this information, from personal camera. However, only in the event of a criminal case.
The rule increases the fire blazing about facial-recognition technology. As the technology is growing in implementation, debate about its accuracy and methodology is on.
Previous laws
The technology behind facial recognition is improving due to machine learning and deep learning.
In the facial recognition system, various facial features are investigated and then later compares with various faces in existing database. At present there are no federal laws that define how AI technology or facial recognition system can be used. The bill introduced in March, indicates that companied need to get permission from consumers before gathering and distributing any data.
In the Bay Area, Oakland, Palo Alto, Berkeley, and Santa Clara County have together created their own technology laws. This include the surveillance technology law. However, Oakland is also presently thinking to stop the use of facial-recognition technology.