Portland Private-Sector FR Ban
Portland, OR Ban on Facial Recognition by Private Entities in Places of Public Accommodation
Portland, OR · Portland, Or., City Code ch. 34.10 (Ordinance 190114, 2020)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 1, 2021
- Applies to
- Private entities operating places of public accommodation in Portland
- Enforced by
- Courts via civil actions; city oversight via Smart City PDX program
Portland is the first US city to ban private businesses from using facial recognition in places of public accommodation such as stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. People can sue violators for damages. The ban remains in effect as of June 2026.
Who is protected: Members of the public in places of public accommodation in Portland
Legal detail
Portland City Code ch. 34.10 prohibits private entities from using face recognition technologies in places of public accommodation, with exceptions for user verification on personal devices and legal compliance; enforced via a private right of action.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Portland, OR |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | September 9, 2020 |
| Citation | Portland, Or., City Code ch. 34.10 (Ordinance 190114, 2020) |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Damages of $1,000 per day of violation or actual damages (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · consumer data privacy · consumer protection |
| Statute | Portland City Code Chapter 34.10 |
More AI rules in Portland, OR
- Portland Public Schools genAI pause (Jun. 23, 2026) · In effect
- Portland OR data center NDA resolution (2026) · In effect
- Portland OR COST surveillance pricing ordinance (proposed 2026) · Proposed / pending
- Portland OR Twin FR Bans (2020, broadest-in-nation) · In effect
- Portland City-Government FR Ban · In effect
- Portland OR GenAI Policy · 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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