Bernie Sanders Vows to Ban Police From Using Facial Recognition

It's part of his broader proposals for police reform.

Police Reform

Bernie Sanders announced this weekend that he would bar law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition systems if he's elected president in 2020.

The ban is part of Sanders' broader ideas to reform American policing, which would also involve barring cops from buying military equipment, The Verge reports. Sanders is the first to call for a full federal ban on policing facial recognition, which is often misused to overpolice and otherwise target racial minorities and other vulnerable populations — though some cities, like San Francisco, beat him to the punch with local legislation.

Total Overhaul

Sander's policing overhaul is focused on ending exploitative practices currently in use by law enforcement, including managing facial recognition databases, using military weapons and vehicles, and signing contracts with privately-owned prisons. It would also impose stronger standards on how police are required to use their body cameras, according to The Verge.

"Police use of facial recognition software is the latest example of Orwellian technology that violates our privacy and civil liberties under the guise of public safety and it must stop," a Sanders campaign spokesperson told Recode. "Bernie is proud to join cities like San Francisco in banning the use of this technology for policing, and as President will enact a nationwide ban on facial recognition software for policing, including at the state and local levels."

READ MORE: Bernie Sanders calls for a ban on police use of facial recognition [The Verge]

More on facial recognition bans: Tech Hub San Francisco First US City to Ban Facial Recognition