King County FR Ban
King County, WA Ban on Facial Recognition by County Agencies (Ordinance 19296)
King County, WA · King County, Wash., Ordinance 19296 (June 1, 2021)
- Status
- In effect
- Applies to
- King County administrative offices and executive departments, including the Sheriff's Office
- Enforced by
- King County government (internal compliance)
King County (the Seattle area) was the first US county to ban its government, including the Sheriff's Office, from using facial recognition technology. The unanimous 2021 ordinance also bars county agencies from getting facial recognition information through third parties. Remains in effect as of June 2026.
Who is protected: King County residents
Legal detail
Ordinance 19296 (2021) adds a chapter to K.C.C. Title 2 prohibiting county administrative offices and executive departments from acquiring or using facial recognition technology or information derived from it, with a narrow National Child Search Assistance Act exception.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | King County, WA |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | June 1, 2021 |
| Citation | King County, Wash., Ordinance 19296 (June 1, 2021) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI · consumer data privacy |
| Agency page | Facial Recognition Technology Ban Passed by King County Council |
More AI rules in King County, WA
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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