ACLU-WA Statement on Insufficient Facial Recognition Regulations (SB 6280) Becoming Law

SEATTLE – Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 6280, permitting the government to use racially biased face surveillance technology, vetoing the workgroup that would have allowed community voices a seat at the table, and undermining the privacy rights of all Washingtonians. The bill falls far short of providing adequate protections for communities of color, immigrants, and religious minorities who have been historically harmed by government surveillance.

The ACLU of Washington’s Technology and Liberty Project Manager, Jennifer Lee, had this reaction:

“We are extremely disappointed that SB 6280 has become law, particularly without a workgroup, and continue to be concerned that the bill permits ongoing use of racially biased facial recognition technology with few restrictions. We will continue to push for a moratorium to give historically targeted and marginalized communities, such as Black and Indigenous communities, an opportunity to decide not just how face surveillance technology should be used, but if it should be used at all.”