U.S. Senators propose facial recognition moratorium for federal government

Two Democratic U.S. Senators today proposed legislation that requires a moratorium on facial recognition use by federal agencies, government employees, and law enforcement until a Congressional commission can act to recommend guidelines and place limits on use of the technology. The bill, named the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence Act, is being introduced today by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). It would establish a 13-member Congressional Commission made up of people appointed by the president, members of Congress, federal immigration and law enforcement officers, and privacy and tech experts. Six committee members come from communities most impacted by use of facial recognition. That Commission's goal would be to ensure facial recognition does not produce bias or inaccurate results, stand in the way of law enforcement's efforts to identify missing and exploited children, or "create a constant state of surveillance of individuals in the United States that does not allow for a level of reasonable anonymity."