The New York City Council has passed a law banning the use of facial recognition technology in public schools. The decision follows months of protests by parents and civil rights groups who raised concerns about surveillance and data misuse.
The legislation, effective from June 2025, prohibits biometric tracking of students without parental consent. It also mandates the deletion of any existing facial data collected by school surveillance systems. Supporters say the ban is a crucial step in protecting student privacy and preventing the normalization of surveillance in educational spaces. Critics, however, worry about increased risks to school security.
The debate is also reaching South Asia. Educational NGOs in India and Bangladesh are urging similar policies, especially as some urban schools have begun experimenting with biometric attendance systems. This development could set a precedent for countries navigating the balance between tech adoption and children’s rights.
