Privacy & Surveillance in Detroit, MI

If you live in Detroit or are thinking about moving there, privacy & surveillance are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Detroit has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of privacy & surveillance, and some of them might surprise you.

Facial Recognition Ban

Detroit requires City Council to vote and hold public hearings before any department, including police, can acquire or deploy facial recognition or other biometric surveillance technology.

Key details: Includes: Facial, voice, iris, gait recognition. Gatekeeper: City Council vote required. Pre-approval step: Public Surveillance Technology Specification Report. Exigent use limit: 30 days, then Council extension. Enforcement: Unlawful use, employee discipline.

Unauthorized procurement or off-spec use of surveillance technology is unlawful under Sec. 17-5-459; violating employees face disciplinary action, and non-disclosure agreements shielding a vendor require a three-fourths Council vote to even be allowed.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Detroit actively enforces its facial recognition ban requirements.

License Plate Readers

Detroit requires City Council to publicly vote to approve any license plate reader or camera surveillance purchase, with mandatory reports on data retention and any sharing with federal agencies like ICE.

Key details: Approval required: City Council vote after public hearing. Governing law: Detroit City Code § 17-5-452. Data sharing disclosure: External entities named in annual report. NDA contracts: Need three-fourths council vote. Adopted: Ordinance No. 2021-17, effective 6-14-2021.

Deploying ALPR technology without City Council approval, or outside the terms of its Specification Report, is unlawful under Sec. 17-5-459; violators face City discipline and whistleblower protections shield reporting employees.

This is one of the stricter rules in Detroit's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Security Camera Rules

Detroit requires City Council approval before any city department, including police, buys or installs surveillance cameras, license-plate readers, or similar tech: private home cameras aren't covered.

Key details: Governing law: Detroit City Code § 17-5-451 et seq.. Applies to: City departments, incl. Police. Requires: Council-approved report + public hearing. Private residential cameras: Not regulated by this ordinance. Enacted: Ord. No. 2021-17, eff. 6-14-2021.

It is unlawful for a City department to acquire or use surveillance technology, including cameras, without Council-approved authorization; violating employees face disciplinary action under Sec. 17-5-459.

The Bottom Line

Detroit is tougher than many cities when it comes to privacy & surveillance. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Detroit, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Detroit's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.