Ordinance banning face surveillance technology in Boston
Boston, MA — Ordinance banning face surveillance technology in Boston
Boston, MA · Ordinance banning face surveillance technology in Boston
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- June 24, 2020
- Applies to
- Boston, MA
Boston's City Council voted unanimously to ban city government, including police, from using face surveillance technology and from asking third parties to use it on their behalf.
Who is protected: People subject to this body's AI/surveillance systems.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Boston, MA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Citation | Ordinance banning face surveillance technology in Boston |
| Topics | police and surveillance AI · facial recognition · biometric data · consumer data privacy · government use of AI |
| News report | Boston Bans Face Recognition Surveillance | ACLU |
More AI rules in Boston, MA
- Boston surveillance ordinance amendment proposal (2026) · Proposed / pending
- Boston GenAI Guidelines · In effect
- Boston Public Schools · In effect
- Boston Interim GenAI Guidelines · In effect
- Boston Face Surveillance Ban · In effect
- Ordinance on Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing · In effect
Related police and surveillance AI rules elsewhere
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Huntington WV Flock contract approved 6-4 (Jul. 14, 2026) · In effect
- ACLU-WV v. Huntington (Flock contract mandamus) · Blocked / in litigation
- Minneapolis rejects Skydio DFR contract 6-6 (Jul. 16, 2026) · In effect
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