Montana law restricting facial recognition use by police, public agencies takes effect

A new bill establishing the right of state and local agencies in Montana, including law enforcement, to use facial recognition, along with restrictions on the technology’s use, has been signed into law.

The Facial Recognition for Government Use Act (SB0397) allows Montana’s law enforcement agencies to use face biometrics to look for suspects, victims of, or witnesses to “serious crime.”

Put forward just a few months ago, the act prohibits the use of “continuous” facial recognition, …

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