Newark Police Division Facial Recognition Prohibition (2019)
Newark, NJ · NJ AG informal email moratorium (January 27, 2020); no formal directive number issued; no documented Newark PD formal adopting policy
New Jersey Attorney General directive (followed by Newark PD) bars all New Jersey law-enforcement agencies — including Newark — from using Clearview AI facial recognition.
Technical detail
NJ AG Directive of January 2020 (and predecessor 2019 guidance) prohibits all New Jersey law-enforcement agencies, including Newark Police Division, from using Clearview AI; Newark PD adopted internal policy implementing the directive, with limited FR use only via NJSP-authorized systems and supervisory approval.
Who is protected: Newark residents and visitors
Who must comply: Newark Police Division and all NJ law enforcement
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Stronger protection |
| Effective date | 2020-01-27 |
| Enacted | 2020-01-27 |
| Citation | NJ AG informal email moratorium (January 27, 2020); no formal directive number issued; no documented Newark PD formal adopting policy |
| Enforced by | NJ Attorney General; Newark Office of Professional Standards |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | NJ AG Directive — Use of Facial Recognition Technology ↗ |
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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