Privacy & Surveillance in Boston, MA (2026)
2 verified privacy & surveillance rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Facial Recognition Ban
Boston Code § 16-62 makes it unlawful for the city or any city official to obtain, retain, access or use a face surveillance system, or to contract with a third party to do so. The ban covers every city department, including the Boston Police Department, with only narrow carve-outs.
Boston Face Surveillance Technology Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-62
FACE SURVEILLANCE. An automated or semi-automated process that assists in identifying or verifying an individual, or in capturing information about an individual, based on the physical characteristics of an individual's face. ... (B) Ban on city use of face surveillance. (1) It shall be unlawful for Boston or any Boston official to: (a) Obtain, retain, possess, access or use: 1. Any face survei...
License Plate Readers
Boston classifies automatic license plate readers as regulated "surveillance technology," so city departments cannot acquire or use ALPRs without a Surveillance Technology Impact Report and Boston City Council approval by majority vote within 60 days. Retention limits and third-party data-sharing rules must be spelled out in an approved Surveillance Use Policy.
Boston ALPR/Surveillance Tech Oversight Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-63.2, § 16-63.3(D)(1)-(2)
SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY... Examples of SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY include, but are not limited to: (1) International mobile subscriber identity ("IMSI") catchers and other cell-site simulators; (2) Automatic license plate readers... The Mayor's Office must seek and obtain approval from the Boston City Council as set forth in this Section prior to the city acquiring, using or entering into an agree...