At the April 18 Special Assembly Meeting, the Anchorage Assembly approved (10-1) AO 2023-35(S-1) to ban the use, acquisition or accessing of facial recognition technology by municipal entities with limited exceptions.
Sponsored by Assembly Members Joey Sweet, Felix Rivera and Daniel Volland, the ordinance draws from examples of similar bans enacted across the country in jurisdictions including Portland, Oregon, Oakland, California and Portland, Maine to prohibit the Municipality from using facial recognition technology and to create an enforcement mechanism that allows for discipline against municipal employees found in violation of the law.
“There are three reasons for this proposal," said Assembly Member Joey Sweet. “The first is that facial recognition technology doesn't work. Research shows that the technology in use across the country disproportionately misidentifies people of color most frequently of all demographics. The second is how the technology infringes on residents' right to privacy, which is particularly steadfast in our state. Third, if we allow the technology and something goes wrong, the Municipality will be liable. This prohibition minimizes risk exposure to the Municipality while establishing a path to request exemptions."
Exceptions allow the use of facial recognition technology in instances including:
- Integrations in a product intended for a single user, such as a municipal cell phone or tablet, where the facial recognition technology is used solely for the purpose of the user;
- Using facial recognition technology solely for the purpose of automating redactions of video footage; and
- Complying with the National Child Search Assistance Act to cooperate in the search for missing or exploited children; and
- Coordinating with multi-agency law enforcement investigations, specifically when working with third party agencies using facial recognition technology to identify:
- Human remains or suspected missing persons,
- Suspected victims of human trafficking, or
- Suspected victims of child abuse or exploitation.
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CONTACT
Joey Sweet | District 5
joey.sweet@anchorageak.gov
Felix Rivera | District 4
felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov
Daniel Volland | District 1
daniel.volland@anchorageak.gov