Support For Facial Recognition Restrictions Grows

Tanner Avery

Director of The Center for New Frontiers

Tanner Avery
/ Blog
January 20, 2022

Support For Facial Recognition Restrictions Grows

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle now recognize that Montana’s lack of uniform and transparent restrictions on how government agencies can use facial recognition poses a serious threat to the privacy of Montanans.

“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” – Frederick Douglass

Last month Frontier launched its new series called Legislative Viewpoints in which legislators from both sides of the aisle can discuss red tape relief, fiscal responsibility, health care reform and more.

In this month’s Legislative Viewpoints columns both minority and majority leadership discuss Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) in Montana, an important issue more and more lawmakers are looking into. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle now recognize that Montana’s lack of uniform and transparent restrictions on how government agencies can use FRT poses a serious threat to the privacy of Montanans.

This month’s updates come from Senator Ken Bogner and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott/Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour.

Majority Update

Senator Ken Bogner discussed how without clear limitations by the government, FRT has the potential to lead to the infringement of the liberties and rights of Montanans. Be sure to read the entire article.

“Our rights to not have our property or persons searched or seized without a warrant, to not be harassed by the government without good reason, and to conduct our own peaceful affairs with minimal intrusion are increasingly challenged by new technology.”

Minority Update

Kim Abbott, House Minority Leader, and Jill Cohenour, Senate Minority Leader, discussed their efforts to pass limitations on FRT last legislative session and how the current FRT study bill is providing much needed insight into the technologies current use, as well as potentially laying the groundwork for future legislation. Be sure to read the entire article.

“We know it’s possible to have an efficient and technologically adept state government, while also ensuring that this technology doesn’t run roughshod over our rights as Montanans.”

Sincerely,

Tanner Avery


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