A group of Democratic lawmakers has reintroduced the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, legislation that would make it unlawful for a federal agency or official to acquire, possess, access, or use a biometric surveillance system without explicit congressional authorization, with new language that broadens parts of the moratorium in earlier versions. The bill would potentially reach federal use of state, local, and privately operated biometric systems, bar federal law enforcement from spending federal funds on covered systems, condition federal grants to state and local entities on their own moratoria, and create a private right of action for violations, while preserving NIST’s ability to test biometric systems. The main objective is to halt government use of face, voice, and other biometrics until Congress authorizes it, amid concerns about discriminatory outcomes and surveillance by agencies such as ICE and CBP; the bill is a proposal, not current law. Key players include Sens. Edward Markey and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley.
US Lawmakers Revive Broader Federal Biometric Surveillance Moratorium
