Washington State County Becomes First in US to Ban Facial Recognition Software Over Concerns of Racism
On 6/2/21 at 11:33 AM EDT
King County in Washington is the first U.S. county to ban government use of facial recognition software over concerns of racism and demographic biases.
A "groundbreaking" proposal for the ban was approved Tuesday by the King County Council to protect the county's 2.3 million citizens' freedoms from government surveillance since studies revealed "facial recognition software is often far more likely to misidentify Black or Asian faces, especially Black women," the council announced in a statement.
"The use of this technology is invasive, intrusive, racially biased and full of risks to fundamental civil liberties," said King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. "I am proud to sponsor this ban, which is supported by local community groups, public defenders, immigrants' rights advocates, racial justice organizations, workers' rights groups, privacy advocates and technologists."