Privacy & Surveillance in San Diego, CA (2026)
3 verified privacy & surveillance rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recording & Consent Laws
California is a two-party (all-party) consent state. Recording private conversations without the consent of ALL parties is a criminal offense under California Penal Code §632. First violation: up to $2,500 fine and/or one year in jail. This applies to phone calls, in-person conversations, and security camera audio in San Diego.
San Diego and California Recording Laws
Some RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 632
(a) A person who, intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, uses an electronic amplifying or recording device to eavesdrop upon or record the confidential communication, whether the communication is carried on among the parties in the presence of one another or by means of a telegraph, telephone, or other device, except a radio, shall be punished by a...
Facial Recognition Ban
San Diego does not ban facial recognition technology outright. The TRUST Ordinance requires SDPD and every city department to get City Council approval of a public Surveillance Use Policy before acquiring or using it.
San Diego Facial Recognition Oversight
Significant RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 210.0102(h); § 210.0101
Facial recognition technology means an automated or semi-automated process that assists in identifying or verifying an individual based on an individual's face. ... If the City Council determines that the proposed use of the surveillance technology meets the standard set forth in this Division, then the City Council may authorize the use of the surveillance technology by adopting a legally enfo...
License Plate Readers
Automatic license plate readers count as surveillance technology under San Diego's TRUST Ordinance, so SDPD needs City Council approval of a public Surveillance Use Policy covering data retention and sharing before deploying or expanding an ALPR program.
San Diego License Plate Reader Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 210.0102(o), (q)(6), (q)(8)
Examples of surveillance technology include the following: cell site simulators (Stingrays); automatic license plate readers; ... Data Retention: The time period, if any, for which information collected by the surveillance technology will be routinely retained ... Third Party Data Sharing: If and how information obtained from the surveillance technology can be accessed or used, including any re...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
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