Milwaukee Police Department has announced an immediate ban on the use of facial recognition technology following significant public outcry and a contentious meeting with the Fire and Police Commission (FPC). The decision comes after years of debate and concerns raised by residents regarding privacy, potential misuse, and the technology’s inherent biases.
Key Takeaways
- Milwaukee Police Department has temporarily banned the use of facial recognition technology.
- The ban follows intense public criticism and a meeting with the Fire and Police Commission.
- Concerns include privacy, potential misuse, and the technology’s high error rates for people of color.
- The police union expressed disappointment, arguing the technology is a valuable investigative tool.
Public Outcry Forces Police Hand
A packed meeting of the city’s Fire and Police Commission (FPC) saw over 60 residents voice strong opposition to the Milwaukee Police Department’s (MPD) use of facial recognition software. Attendees expressed fears about government overreach, surveillance, and the technology’s documented unreliability, particularly for individuals of color. Speakers highlighted instances where facial recognition technology has been used without public disclosure and raised concerns about its potential to disproportionately target marginalized communities.
Concerns Over Bias and Transparency
Nadiyah Johnson, founder and CEO of the Milky Way Tech Hub, pointed to federal data showing significantly higher false positive rates for Black individuals using facial recognition software, stating that "guardrails do not fix the core problem." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin also shared findings from open records requests, indicating a lack of transparency from MPD regarding the technology’s use and its disclosure in legal proceedings. Concerns were also raised about the potential for data collected to be accessed by federal agencies, drawing parallels to immigration crackdowns in other states.
Police Department’s Response and Union’s Disappointment
Despite acknowledging the technology’s utility in developing leads for investigations, MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman announced the department-wide ban on facial recognition technology. Heather Hough, Norman’s chief of staff, stated that "public trust is far more valuable" than the technology, and that the department would not resume its use until a comprehensive policy is finalized. However, the Milwaukee Police Association voiced strong disapproval, calling the ban "deeply concerning and disappointing." The union argued that facial recognition is a crucial investigative tool for violent crime cases and that restricting its use could endanger residents and officers.
Future of Facial Recognition in Milwaukee
While the immediate ban provides a pause, MPD plans to continue developing a policy for the technology’s future use. The FPC’s ability to enact policy changes has been limited by state legislation. The decision reflects a broader national debate about the ethical implications and societal impact of widespread surveillance technologies.
Sources
- Public outcry over facial recognition technology leads Milwaukee police to ban it, for now • Wisconsin
Examiner, Wisconsin Examiner.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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