Facial recognition by law enforcement is now legal in Washington state

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The technology has long been considered widely controversial, mostly because critics believe it’ll unfairly target minority communities and those whom otherwise aren’t white. According to documents shared online, legislation notes that enforcement agencies must submit proposals to state officials under only 3 circumstances: missing persons, the dead, and to keep the public safe.

Critics, however, have already noted that US law enforcement agencies have a tendency to abuse their powers and what they can and cannot do. InfoSecurity notes that the government in Washington is placing quite a bit of accountability on the enforcement agencies within the state, who says that the agencies will be required to submit such documentation proving their use and why.