S.T.O.P. Celebrates Intro Of 2 NYC Facial Recognition Bans

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Celebrates Intro Of 2 NYC Facial Recognition Bans (New York, NY, 4/12/2023) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, celebrates the New York City Council’s introduction of two proposed bans on facial recognition and other biometric surveillance in New York City. The civil rights group worked with a broad coalition of advocates and lawmakers for more than two years to bring forward the legislation as part of its Ban The Scan campaign. One measure, introduced by Council Members Shahana Hanif and Jennifer Gutiérrez, bans biometric surveillance in public accommodations, such as stores and sports arenas. The second bill, introduced by Council Member Carlina Rivera, bans residential landlords from using biometric entry systems. SEE: Bloomberg - NYC Lawmakers Seek to Ban Businesses From Facial Recognition Use https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/nyc-lawmakers-seek-to-ban-businesses-from-facial-recognition-use-1 “It’s time to face the truth that facial recognition is biased and ripe for abuse,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “Biometric surveillance can be used to track New Yorkers throughout their day, following their every movement without their consent. This sort of surveillance simply isn’t compatible with a democracy. Unless we want to see the rich and powerful permitted to use this technology to track whomever they want, the City Council must take action. We have called for a complete ban on facial recognition in New York City for more than two years now, leading the Ban The Scan coalition in its fight to end this invasive tracking. While we’re thrilled to see this legislation coming forward now, it’s clear that more is needed to protect New Yorkers from every aspect of private and public surveillance. And we must act now. If the City moves forward with a strong response to biometric surveillance, it will be a landmark for civil rights, not just here, but across the country.” The introduction of the two bills comes after they were blocked for over two years by City Council staff. Last month, S.T.O.P. joined an Amazon customer, Romer-Friedman Law PLLC, and Pollock Cohen LLP in filing a proposed class action lawsuit claiming that Amazon illegally failed to notify customers that Amazon Go stores in New York City collect biometric data. The case was filed under New York City’s 2021 biometric notice law, which requires businesses to post signs warning customers whenever their biometric information is being collected. SEE: Press Release - Class Action Claims Amazon Illegally Hid its Biometric Surveillance From Go Store Customers in NYC https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/3/16/class-action-claims-amazon-illegally-hid-its-biometric-surveillance-from-go-store-customers-in-nyc The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn   Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.