The Dangers of Facial Recognition Technology

Facial recognition technology, while often promoted as a tool to improve security and streamline processes, raises serious ethical, privacy, and civil liberty concerns that cities must urgently address. These concerns are not hypothetical; they are real, documented, and disproportionately affect society’s most vulnerable members. As such, a comprehensive ban on the use of facial recognition technology at the municipal level is both necessary and just.

One of the most pressing issues is the technology’s inaccuracy, particularly when identifying people of color, women, and non-binary individuals. Numerous studies have shown that facial recognition algorithms perform poorly on non-white, non-male faces, leading to a higher rate of false identifications. These errors can have devastating consequences, ranging from wrongful arrests to denial of access to public services or spaces. This disproportionate targeting further marginalizes already underserved communities and exacerbates existing inequalities within the criminal justice and public service systems.

In addition to accuracy concerns, facial recognition presents severe privacy violations. Unlike traditional surveillance methods, this technology can track individuals without their knowledge or consent. Such practices pave the way for a surveillance state, where every movement in public spaces can be monitored and recorded. The freedom to move through cities without constant monitoring is a cornerstone of democratic societies—and facial recognition undermines that right.

Moreover, the deployment and management of facial recognition systems lack transparency and oversight. Citizens often have little to no knowledge of how their biometric data is collected, stored, shared, or used. Without stringent regulations or public accountability, governmental bodies and private companies have free rein to exploit the technology for purposes beyond public safety, including political surveillance, profit-making, or discriminatory profiling.

This lack of accountability is particularly dangerous during times of political unrest, when facial recognition can be weaponized to silence dissent or monitor protesters. Without clear checks and balances, the potential for abuse is enormous.

Given these profound risks, cities must act decisively to safeguard civil liberties by banning facial recognition technology in public spaces. Instead of investing in invasive surveillance tools, municipalities should focus on alternative methods that enhance public safety while upholding privacy and human rights. Transparency, accountability, and equity must guide the development of any public safety technology moving forward.