Minneapolis Facial Recognition Technology Ban Ordinance
Minneapolis, MN · Minneapolis, Minn., FR Ban Ordinance (Feb. 12, 2021)
Minneapolis bans city departments, including the police department, from procuring facial recognition technology or using data derived from it, with a council-approved exceptions process and annual reporting. No repeal or weakening amendment was found — the ordinance appears to remain in effect as of June 2026.
Technical detail
Ordinance adopted Feb. 12, 2021 (Council file RCA-2021-00187) prohibits city department procurement of facial recognition technology and use of FR-derived data, subject to a defined exceptions process and annual summary reporting.
Who is protected: Minneapolis residents and visitors
Who must comply: City of Minneapolis departments and staff, including Minneapolis Police Department
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Enacted | 2021-02-12 |
| Citation | Minneapolis, Minn., FR Ban Ordinance (Feb. 12, 2021) |
| Enforced by | Minneapolis City Council (exceptions approval and reporting oversight) |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI · consumer data privacy |
| Last verified | 2026-06-11 |
| Official source | RCA-2021-00187 — Facial Recognition Technology Ban (Minneapolis LIMS) ↗ |
More AI rules in Minneapolis, MN
- Minneapolis algorithmic rent ban (Ord. 2025-010, eff. Mar 1, 2026) · In effect
- Minneapolis rejects Skydio DFR contract 6-6 (Jul. 16, 2026) · In effect
- Minneapolis Data Center Moratorium · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Minneapolis Public Schools · In effect
- Ordinance banning city and police department use of facial r · In effect
- Use of Algorithms in Rental Rates Ordinance · Proposed / pending
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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