Springfield, MA Privacy & Surveillance: Facial Recognition Ban (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- February 24, 2020
- Scope
- all City departments, agents, contractors
- Fine
- $300 per violation
- Evidence rule
- unlawful data suppressed
- Ends when
- Council approves police FRT rules
Summary
Springfield bans every city department, officer, employee, agent, contractor, or vendor from obtaining, retaining, accessing, or using facial surveillance systems or any data pulled from them, under a 2020 moratorium that stays in force until the Council acts.
It shall be unlawful for Springfield or any Springfield official to obtain, retain, access, or use:
(1) Any face surveillance system; or
(2) Any information obtained from a facial surveillance system.
B. This section shall be repealed at such time that the City Council approves Springfield Police Department rules, policies, and procedures governing the use of facial surveillance systems.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 173 Facial Recognition Surveillance Technology, adopted 2-24-2020, defines "facial surveillance" and "facial surveillance system" in § 173-1 and, in § 173-2, flatly bars Springfield and any "Springfield official", a term that reaches contractors, subcontractors, and vendors, from obtaining, retaining, accessing, or using such a system or its data. Section 173-2B repeals the moratorium only once the City Council approves Springfield Police Department rules, policies, and procedures governing facial-surveillance use. Section 173-3 suppresses any data collected in violation from use as evidence in City proceedings and sets a per-violation fine.
Violations & Fines
A $300 fine applies per violation, and any data collected or derived from an unlawful facial-surveillance use is suppressed: barred from evidence in any City department, agency, or hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ban cover city contractors, not just police?
Is the facial recognition ban permanent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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