San Francisco Voters Approve Proposition Allowing Easier Deployment of Police Surveillance Technology
In a historic move, San Francisco voters have seemingly reversed their stance on restricting police technology. On Tuesday, they supported a ballot proposition that will streamline the process for the city’s police department to implement drones and other surveillance tools.
The 2019 Ordinance and Its Implications
Back in 2019, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors made headlines by passing an ordinance that prohibited the use of facial recognition technology by city agencies, including the police department. This decision inspired several other cities, such as Oakland and Boston, to implement similar measures.
The ordinance also mandated that city agencies obtain approval from the Board of Supervisors before purchasing or using surveillance technology. However, it made exceptions for certain devices, like iPhones, which utilize facial recognition for unlocking purposes, as long as they were not acquired with the intention of being used for policing functions.
Concerns Surrounding Proposition E
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has expressed apprehension about Proposition E, particularly regarding the level of secrecy it allows for surveillance technologies being tested by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Under the new proposition, the SFPD can trial these technologies for up to a year without public disclosure.
“It’s about making sure the police stick to the contours of the law.”
Saira Hussain, a staff attorney at the EFF, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the police adhere to the boundaries set by the law when it comes to the use of surveillance technology.
Additional reporting by Amanda Hoover
1 Comment
Talk about a 180, San Francisco! Could this be a case of “be careful what you wish for