Atlanta surveillance proposal would require public review and council approval for high-impact tools

A held Atlanta ordinance would require impact reports, written use policies, panel review, public participation and City Council approval before deploying high-impact surveillance technology. That category includes facial recognition, persistent tracking and automated public-safety profiling.

Under ordinance 26-O-1401, Atlanta Information Management would classify proposed acquisitions, deployments and material modifications by their capabilities, intended use, scale and foreseeable impacts—not price alone. Routine or low-risk technology could receive administrative approval without separate panel or council approval.

The proposal would permit temporary use without completing advance review when reasonably necessary for emergencies or major special events, but continued or recurring use would face the otherwise applicable review. The Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee held the council-substituted ordinance Sept. 28 for additional information and further review; these are proposed requirements, not enacted rules.