Cambridge Surveillance Technology Ordinance with Face Surveillance Ban
Cambridge, MA · Cambridge, Mass., Mun. Code ch. 2.128, FR ban amendment (Jan. 13, 2020)
Cambridge requires City Council approval and impact reports before city departments use surveillance technology, and a unanimous January 2020 amendment banned city use of face surveillance. Surveillance impact reports were still being filed with the council in 2024–2025.
Technical detail
Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 2.128 (Surveillance Technology Ordinance, 2018) requires Council approval, Surveillance Technology Impact Reports, and annual reporting; a Jan. 13, 2020 amendment prohibits city use of face surveillance systems.
Who is protected: Cambridge residents and visitors
Who must comply: All City of Cambridge departments, including Cambridge Police Department
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Enacted | 2020-01-13 |
| Citation | Cambridge, Mass., Mun. Code ch. 2.128, FR ban amendment (Jan. 13, 2020) |
| Enforced by | Cambridge City Council; City Manager compliance reporting |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI · consumer data privacy · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-06-11 |
| Official source | Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.128 (Municode) ↗ |
More AI rules in Cambridge, MA
- Cambridge MA algorithmic rent-setting ban (policy order, Jun. 2026) · Proposed / pending
- Surveillance Technology Ordinance · In effect
- Ordinance banning municipal use of face surveillance technol · In effect
- Cambridge terminates Flock Safety ALPR contract for 'materia · In effect
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Ban biometric recognition in public accommodations (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Limit facial recognition in residential buildings (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Texas v. Google · In effect
- Lorenzano-Nunez v. Roestenberg — FR wrongful arrest (2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Montgomery County MD Police Directive FC 0627 · In effect
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