Detroit, MI Privacy & Surveillance: Facial Recognition Ban (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
No City department may engage in a surveillance technology procurement until:(1)The City department has provided the City Council with a Surveillance Technology Specification Report as described in Section 17-5-453 of this Code;(2)The City department has publicly released the related Surveillance Technology Specification Report in accordance with Subsection (c) of this section and City Council has allowed an opportunity for public comment at all of the following properly-noticed hearings or meetings, conducted pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act, being MCL 15.261 et seq., regarding the requested procurement:a.The City Council Committee reviewing the procurement request;b.City Council Formal Session, if the procurement request is considered during Formal Session;c.At a special Public Hearing, if authorized by vote of a majority of City Council Members serving; andd.During any other hearings and meetings, if required by law; and(3)The City Council has voted to approve the surveillance technology procurement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Under Detroit's Community Input Over Government Surveillance ordinance, facial, voice, iris and gait-recognition software is defined as biometric surveillance technology. No City department may buy or deploy it until the department files a public Surveillance Technology Specification Report, City Council holds a noticed public-comment hearing, and Council votes to approve the procurement. Using unapproved surveillance technology, or using approved technology beyond its filed report, is unlawful for any department, including the Police Department.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Detroit ban facial recognition outright?
Does this apply to Detroit Police?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
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