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Portland City Council tables proposal to ban facial recognition technology

Portland City Council tables proposal to ban facial recognition technology

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (WGAN) The Portland City Council delayed taking action Monday on a proposal to prohibit city employees from using facial recognition technology.

The Portland Press Herald reports the ban was proposed by City Councilor Pious Ali. He says the technology often misidentifies women, people of color and children. He also says the police department told the school board that it could potentially use the technology along with body cameras.

Some councilors said they’d rather refer the proposal to a committee once mayor-elect Kate Snyder takes office.

Councilor Spencer Thibodeau joined the WGAN Morning News Tuesday. He says he agrees with Ali’s position on facial recognition.

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