Fight for the Future announced July 18 that it has launched an interactive map which tracks “where in the U.S. facial recognition technology is being used and where it is being resisted, and a tool-kit for local activists who want to help kickstart a ban in their city or state.” The map is part of Fight for the Future’s larger campaign, dubbed BanFacialRecognition.com campaign, which aims to ban facial recognition surveillance at the state and local level. “It’s nearly impossible to create an exhaustive list given the secrecy surrounding the use of facial recognition surveillance, but we’ve compiled a robust list of use cases that have been publicly reported,” the organization said in a statement. “We’ll be crowdsourcing this information and updating the map as new information surfaces,” the group said.
The map includes known locations where:
- Law enforcement is using scans of driver’s license photos and mug shots;
- Facial recognition is being used by stores, stadiums, and airports;
- Amazon Ring has formed surveillance partnerships with local police;
- City bans on facial recognition are already in place or are expected to be passed shortly;
- Statewide bans on facial recognition are being considered by the legislature;
- Surveillance ordinances that govern procurement processes have been passed; and
- Senators and representatives have issued letters expressing their concern over unethical uses of surveillance technology.
