Cambridge Surveillance Ordinance & FR Ban
Cambridge Surveillance Technology Ordinance with Face Surveillance Ban
Cambridge, MA · Cambridge, Mass., Mun. Code ch. 2.128, FR ban amendment (Jan. 13, 2020)
- Status
- In effect
- Applies to
- All City of Cambridge departments, including Cambridge Police Department
- Enforced by
- Cambridge City Council; City Manager compliance reporting
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.
Who is protected: Cambridge residents and visitors
Legal 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.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | January 13, 2020 |
| Citation | Cambridge, Mass., Mun. Code ch. 2.128, FR ban amendment (Jan. 13, 2020) |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI · consumer data privacy · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Statute | 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 technology · In effect
- Cambridge terminates Flock Safety ALPR contract for 'material breach… · In effect
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency) · In effect
- Dallas PD Clearview AI facial recognition policy · 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
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