Bill Would Ban ICE and CBP from Using Facial Recognition
▼ Summary
– A group of Senate Democrats introduced the “ICE Out of Our Faces Act” to ban ICE and CBP from using facial recognition technology.
– The bill would prohibit these agencies from using any biometric surveillance system, including voice recognition, and require the deletion of all previously collected data.
– It would also bar the federal government from using data from such systems in legal proceedings and grant individuals the right to sue for damages over violations.
– The bill was introduced by Sen. Edward J. Markey and cosponsored by several other senators, including Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, and Bernie Sanders.
– Senator Markey argued the technology is part of a dangerous “digital dragnet” used by ICE and CBP to track and target both citizens and non-citizens.
A new legislative proposal seeks to impose a sweeping prohibition on the use of biometric surveillance tools by key federal immigration enforcement agencies. The “ICE Out of Our Faces Act” would explicitly ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from utilizing facial recognition and related technologies. This comprehensive bill aims to dismantle what its sponsors describe as a pervasive digital surveillance apparatus.
Introduced by Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, the legislation would make it illegal for covered immigration officers to acquire, possess, access, or use any biometric surveillance system within the United States. The proposed ban extends beyond facial recognition to include other technologies like voice recognition. Furthermore, the bill would bar the use of information obtained from such systems, even if operated by a third party. A critical provision mandates the deletion of all historical biometric data previously collected by these agencies.
The ramifications of the bill are significant for federal operations. It would prevent the government from employing data gleaned from biometric surveillance in any legal proceeding or investigation. To enforce these restrictions, the legislation creates a private right of action. Individuals could sue the federal government for financial damages following violations, and state attorneys general would be empowered to bring lawsuits on behalf of their residents.
Senator Markey announced the bill at a press conference alongside Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington. The Senate version also has the support of Senators Ron Wyden, Angela Alsobrooks, and Bernie Sanders. In his remarks, Markey framed the issue as a critical juncture for civil liberties, stating that ICE and CBP have assembled a vast arsenal of surveillance technologies designed to track and target both citizens and non-citizens. He identified facial recognition as the cornerstone of an expansive digital dragnet operating across the nation.
(Source: Ars Technica)
