Ban the Government's Use of Biometric Data

HB 5521 bans the use of most biometric information systems by state and local law enforcement agencies in Illinois. These systems have been shown to be deeply flawed, and the use of these systems have been used to target people engaging in constitutionally-protected First Amendment activity. Take action in support of this bill!

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State Representative

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Subject Support HB 5521!

Dear Legislator,

As a constituent concerned about privacy and government surveillance, I urge you to support and sponsor HB5521, a measure that aims to prohibit the use of biometric identification systems by state and local law enforcement in Illinois. Over the past several years we have seen the increased use of biometric information by government agencies, often with negative results. A man in Detroit was arrested and held for more than a day a few years ago because a biometric system was used – based on grainy surveillance footage at a retail store – to falsely identify him. In January, federal agents detained a woman overnight based on misidentification by a facial recognition application.

And biometrics have been used by state and local law enforcement in other states to identify and track protestors.

Message Body

HB5521 seeks to guarantee that Illinois law enforcement cannot abuse our rights using biometric surveillance.

The bill would bar state and local law enforcement from using biometric identification system, and bar the Secretary of State from opening up our driver’s license photos for facial recognition searches. The bill also empowers the Attorney General and individuals to file lawsuits if law enforcement violates the law.

I encourage you to support HB5521 when it is considered in the House. We need to protect Illinois residents from abuse using biometric identification systems.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Ban the Government's Use of Biometric Data

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