Portland, the largest city in Oregon, plans to propose first facial recognition ban affecting private companies

The city of Portland, Oregon, is considering a unique ban on facial recognition software that could limit how private companies use it. Current bans on facial recognition technology, such as ones in San Francisco and Oakland, California, only affect city agencies such as police departments. If the Portland City Council passes the pending legislation next year, officials may copy those efforts and add private retailers and airlines to the ban. Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty is spearheading the proposed ban, citing concerns of privacy, consent and civil rights. "The technology is currently extremely biased against people of color and women," Hardesty said at a September work session on the ban.