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Board clarifies surveillance rules, tightens ban on facial recognition in amended ordinance
Summary
Supervisors amended and advanced on first reading an Administrative Code change to allow acquisition and retention of certain surveillance technologies while explicitly prohibiting facial recognition use; the amendment clarifies that devices or software with bundled facial recognition must be treated as facial recognition acquisition.
On Dec. 10 the Board of Supervisors amended and advanced on first reading an ordinance that revises the city's surveillance-technology rules (Administrative Code, Chapter 19B). The measure restates the city's ban on use of facial recognition technology and adds language to address devices or software that may include facial-recognition components.
What changed: The sponsor, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, explained non-substantive amendments that distinguish between purchasing devices that may contain bundled facial recognition functionality and the prohibited acquisition or use of facial recognition itself. The ordinance requires written findings that the city will not use facial recognition whenever a device or product includes that capability.
Policy aims: The strengthened language is intended to protect privacy and simultaneously create a municipal market preference for devices without embedded facial-recognition capabilities. Supporters said the change tightens the existing ban and prevents circumvention by vendors bundling unwanted technology into other products.
Outcome and next steps: The board approved the amendments and passed the ordinance on first reading unanimously. The revised ordinance will return for a final vote; departments will adopt implementing standards as directed by the Administrative Code amendment.
Context: Earlier this year the board adopted a city-wide ban on facial recognition; this ordinance clarifies procurement and implementation rules across city departments to prevent acquisition and use of such technology, even when bundled inside other products.
