32 Civil Rights Groups Demand NYC Council Ban Facial Recognition

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For Immediate Release 32 Civil Rights Groups Demand NYC Council Ban Facial Recognition (New York, NY 9/26/23) – Today, 32 civil rights groups, led by the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, submitted a memo of support demanding the New York City Council pass two pending bills banning facial recognition and other biometric technologies in residential buildings and public accommodations, such as stores and arenas. The Ban The Scan and Privacy New York coalitions worked for more than two years to bring forward the legislation, which was finally introduced in the City Council in April this year.  SEE: Sign-on letter - Memorandum of Support for Intros 1014-2023 and 1024-2023 https://www.stopspying.org/s/Ints-1014-and-1024-Memo-of-Support_9_26_2023-Updated.pdf Press Release - S.T.O.P. Celebrates Intro Of 2 NYC Facial Recognition Bans https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/4/12/stop-celebrates-intro-of-2-nyc-facial-recognition-bans “Facial recognition technology does not make our communities safe,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Advocacy Manager Kat Phan. “Time and time again, these tools have disproportionately targeted and harmed BIPOC, Muslim, immigrant, LGBTQIA+ communities and other historically and systemically oppressed groups, and City Council is long overdue in taking action to pass legislation that protects all New Yorkers from biometric surveillance technologies. STOP is proud to stand alongside other Ban the Scan coalition members and continue fighting for New York City to defend its residents’ right to personal and communal safety and security.” In May, S.T.O.P. joined elected officials and fellow civil rights groups in rallying against facial recognition and other biometric surveillance in New York City Hall Park ahead of a City Council hearing on Intros 1014-2023 and 1024-2023. Advocates and lawmakers called on the City Council to pass not only those two bills, but to also introduce a long-delayed ban on government use of biometric surveillance. SEE: Press Release - Electeds, Advocates Rally Against Facial Recognition Ahead Of City Council Hearing On Bans https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/5/3/electeds-advocates-rally-against-facial-recognition-ahead-of-city-council-hearing-on-bans PIX11 - NYC officials say facial recognition needs to be banned in public areas https://pix11.com/news/local-news/elected-officials-say-facial-recognition-needs-to-be-banned-in-public-areas/ 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.