Columbia, MO Privacy & Surveillance: Facial Recognition Ban (2026)
Key Facts
- Named technology
- Facial recognition software (Sec. 21-61)
- Approval required
- Public hearing + council majority vote
- Report lead time
- Impact report filed 14 days ahead
- Existing tech deadline
- Use policy adopted within 180 days
- Annual reporting
- Report due to council by March 15
Summary
Columbia, Missouri police cannot acquire or deploy facial recognition software without a public city council hearing and majority-vote approval under the Boone County city's surveillance technology oversight ordinance: it's regulated, not banned.
"Surveillance technology" means any device or system designed or used or intended to be used to collect, retain, process or share audio, electronic, visual, location, thermal, olfactory or similar information associated with, or capable of being associated with, any specific individual or group of specific individuals by the police department. Examples of surveillance technologies include, but are not limited to, the following: cell site simulators (Stingrays); automatic license plate readers; gunshot detectors; facial recognition software; gait analysis software; surveillance enabled or capable light bulbs or light fixtures; social media monitoring software; video cameras that record audio or video and can transmit or be remotely accessed; software designed to integrate or analyze data from surveillance technology, including surveillance target tracking and predictive policing software based on surveillance. The enumeration of surveillance technology examples in this subsection shall not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of their use by the police department. Surveillance technology does not include the following devices, hardware or software:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).
Full Breakdown
The Columbia City Code names 'facial recognition software' as an example of regulated 'surveillance technology' in Sec. 21-61. Before the Columbia, Missouri police department may acquire or newly use it, Sec. 21-62 requires a surveillance impact report and proposed technology use policy posted at least 14 days ahead of a public city council hearing; the council may approve by majority vote. Existing technology needs a published use policy within 180 days and an annual public report each March. This is Boone County's county-seat city government, not a ban: it is a transparency and approval framework.
Violations & Fines
Acquiring or using facial recognition outside this process is not itself a listed criminal offense, but violating city employees face internal discipline, and the city may not contract in conflict with Article IV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia, Missouri ban police facial recognition?
Who enforces the surveillance oversight rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
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