+1 Local Gov. Bans Facial Recognition Software = Legislative Pressure

Where: Sommerville, Mass.

What: City Council unanimously banned the use of facial recognition software

Why is this a legislative issue?

• Sommerville is the 2nd city after San Francisco to ban the technology
• Calls are on full-time legislatures to pass statewide bans on the software

How is the issue being messaged?

• “…dystopian technology further outpaces our civil liberties protections”
• Need for “transparent” and “just” regulations

What concerns do researchers find?

• 20% of women are misidentified
• 35% of women of color are misidentified

Boston Herald | Somerville ban puts pressure on Legislature to slow unregulated facial recognition tech