Updated May 02, 2023

Ban the Scan

Overview

Cities across the country - including Boston, San Francisco, and Portland - are protecting residents from facial recognition, and it’s past time for New York City to do the same. This is why STOP is proud to partner with organizations across New York City to fight for a complete ban on facial recognition in New York.

The NYPD abuses facial recognition technology to discriminate against BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, putting over-surveilled New Yorkers at risk of wrongful arrest and even police violence. If we Ban the Scan, ending government use of facial recognition, we will help millions of New Yorkers feel safer in their own communities.

Facial recognition is biased and broken. Countless studies by university researchers, nonprofit organizations, and even the U.S. federal government prove that the technology has no place in New York. Sadly, the NYPD responded to the evidence of bias by only doubling-down on this discredited, dystopian tool. According to the NYPD, from 2016-2019, they used facial recognition more than 22,000 times including more than 8,000 times last year alone. Facial recognition has targeted and terrorized New Yorkers for too long, it’s time to Ban The Scan!

Sign the Ban The Scan Petition →

Send a letter to your council member →

Visit the Ban The Scan campaign page and take action for Int 1014 & Int 1024 →

Campaign Goal

Pass new york city ban on public accommodations facial recognition

Status: Introduced
Bill Number: Int 1014-2023
Bill Sponsor: CMs Shahana K. Hanif, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Carlina Rivera , Nantasha M. Williams, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Farah N. Louis, Christopher Marte, Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson
Scope: This bill would ban storefronts and other public accommodations from using facial recognition in surveillance cameras and other biometric surveillance, creating a private right of action for violations.

pass new york city ban on Residential landlord facial recognition

Status: Introduced
Bill Number: Int 1024-2023
Bill Sponsor: Carlina Rivera , Pierina Ana Sanchez, Tiffany Cabán, Shahana K. Hanif, Farah N. Louis, Kevin C. Riley, Kristin Richardson Jordan, Crystal Hudson, Alexa Avilés, (by request of the Manhattan Borough President)
Scope: This bill would ban landlords from using facial recognition and other biometric entrance systems.

Introduce and pass New York City ban on government facial recognition

Status: Pre-introduction
Bill Number: TBD
Bill Sponsor: TBD
Scope: Prohibits use of facial recognition by any New York City agency, contractor, or employee.