Council approves surveillance technology purchase despite privacy concerns raised over AI facial analysis
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Summary
The council approved an item tied to surveillance technology (including AI facial-analysis capabilities) on the consent docket by a 7–2 vote after a council member urged more comprehensive vetting and noted an out-of-state legal settlement involving biometric data collection by the vendor.
The Oklahoma City Council approved a consent-docket item that included acquisition of surveillance technology with AI facial-analysis functionality; the item passed 7–2 after one councilor requested more robust vetting. A council member who asked that the item be considered separately said a cursory internet search showed the vendor had recently settled a class-action lawsuit in Illinois over collection of biometric data without consent, and said the city lacks a comprehensive policy for using AI-enabled surveillance. The member said she could not support spending public dollars on a technology with unresolved privacy and regulatory concerns. Council action moved forward despite the objection; the mayor called the roll and the measure passed 7–2. Council discussion on the record focused on the need for a stronger policy framework and for fuller disclosure of vendors’ regulatory histories before buying AI-based biometric tools. The council did not adopt an immediate new policy at the meeting; the decision on the consent item authorized the procurement as presented on the docket.
