The use of facial recognition security systems in New York schools is now illegal, after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a temporary ban on their use Tuesday.
The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Monica P. Wallace, D-Cheektowaga, would require the Lockport City School District to turn off the 300 digital cameras it installed to feed images to facial recognition software in its buildings.
A new year also marked the start of a new era for security efforts in Lockportâs public
The district won state Education Department approval for the system late last year and activated it Jan. 2.
The new law temporarily blocks the use of what it calls biometric identifying technology in all schools â public, nonpublic and charter.
PUBLISHED 1:28 PM ET Dec. 22, 2020 PUBLISHED 1:28 PM EST Dec. 22, 2020
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Facial recognition software in New York schools will be halted for further study under legislation approved on Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Facial recognition technology could provide a host of benefits to New Yorkers, but its use brings up serious and legitimate privacy concerns that we have to examine, especially in schools, Cuomo said. This legislation requires state education policymakers to take a step back, consult with experts and address privacy issues before determining whether any kind of biometric identifying technology can be brought into New York s schools. The safety and security of our children is vital to every parent, and whether to use this technology is not a decision to be made lightly.