Comment by Arisha Hatch

Law enforcement’s use of biometric surveillance exacerbates racial biases in our justice system and inflicts harm on Black people,[...] For too long, mass surveillance and the infringement of civil rights have been used to destabilize and exploit Black communities. Biometric technologies are built on these racist law enforcement practices, invasions of privacy, and algorithms that only provide people with the tools to escalate state violence against Black people. Facial recognition surveillance cannot be reformed — the technologies that amplify racism must be banned. Color Of Change commends Senator Markey and Representative Jayapal for taking swift action in prohibiting facial recognition technology and will continue to support legislation that ensures racist mass surveillance practices are ended.