New Bill in Massachusetts Aims to Regulate Police Use of Facial Recognition Technology

The legislation being considered by Massachusetts legislators aims to restrict the usage of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, in light of the apprehensions articulated by civil rights advocates. The technology, which is still in its developmental stage, has encountered disapproval due to its tendency to inaccurately identify individuals of ethnic minority backgrounds. As a result, several municipalities in Massachusetts have prohibited its deployment. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary has recently convened to listen to testimony regarding suggestions to curtail the usage of facial recognition technology by police, igniting a robust dialogue within the community.