US city Portland votes to ban use of facial recognition by city agencies

Voters in Portland City, Maine, USA have voted to support a ballot initiative that bans the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by law enforcement and other city agencies. The measure, which replaces an ordinance on the same subject passed by the city council in August, cannot be revoked for at least five years. The ban is accompanied by provisions for penalties: individuals are entitled to a minimum of US$1000 in civil fees if a city agencies use FRT to surveil them.