Overview

• A Washington Post investigation revealed that New Orleans police secretly used AI-enabled cameras for real-time facial recognition, bypassing a 2022 ordinance requiring strict oversight.
• The program, operated by the private nonprofit Project NOLA, scanned live feeds and alerted officers about potential matches from a secret watchlist of tens of thousands of faces.
• Since 2023, the system reportedly contributed to dozens of arrests, including for nonviolent crimes, but lacked mandated reporting and oversight, raising legal and ethical concerns.
• The NOPD has paused the use of automated alerts, with Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick ordering a review to ensure compliance with laws and policies.
• The ACLU and local officials are calling for a full investigation, stronger safeguards, and a permanent ban on live-feed facial recognition technology to prevent misuse and protect civil liberties.