Mpls. city council looks to regulate police use of facial-recognition technology

The Minneapolis Police Department doesn’t have its own facial-recognition technology yet, but some city council members are already looking to regulate its use.

At least three U.S. cities have banned their police departments from using facial-recognition technology citing privacy concerns. But law enforcement officials say it’s an extremely valuable tool. For example, it was used to help identify the suspect in the mass-shooting at a Maryland newspaper last June.

MPR’s Cathy Wurzer spoke with Council member Steve Fletcher, who serves on the council’s public safety committee.

Click audio player to hear interview.

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