Lawmakers in Portland, Oregon have passed a measure on Wednesday that bans the use of facial recognition technology by government agencies and private entities in public spaces.

Portland lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the two ordinances. One aimed at government agencies, the other at private use.

"Portlanders should never be in fear of having their right of privacy be exploited by either their government or by a private institution," Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a report.

More cities have started to break the use of facial recognition technology due to growing concerns about civil rights violations. This includes San Francisco, Oakland, and Boston.

Portland strengthened their legislation by prohibiting private companies and individuals from using it in spaces accessible to the public.

Private businesses such as restaurants and convenience stores, entertainment venues, banks, doctor's offices, hotels, Airbnb rentals, as well as Uber, Lyft, and public transit stations are not allowed to use facial recognition.

It also includes anywhere that provides publicly accessible facilities, lodging, transportation, or goods and services. However, it exempts certain establishments such as churches, private residences, private clubs, or institutions.

Individuals, including those employed by the government, can use facial recognition to unlock smartphones and tag people on social media.

The legislation also creates a legal right for people to file a lawsuit on private companies that collect their information in violation of the law. Individuals can seek up to $1,000 damages for each day of violations.

City Council Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said she believes what they are passing is a model legislation that the rest of the country will be adopting as soon as their work is completed.  

"This is really about making sure that we are prioritizing our most vulnerable community members and community members of color," Hardesty said in a report. 

In recent years, facial recognition use has been criticized with growing evidence that it discriminates people based on skin color and gender.

It also includes issues on nationwide protests against police brutality and racism in the criminal justice system.

Some tech industry groups, however, rejected Portland's ban. Amazon has reportedly spent at least $24,000 fighting the ban, which is the first time it has lobbied in the city.

The Information and Technology Innovation Foundation also authored an opposition against Portland's measure to ban the use of facial recognition. The said foundation is a think tank backed by facial recognition software makers like Google and IBM.

The Portland's mayor and other state officials called for peace as many seek retribution after a fatal shooting that happened last month between President Donald Trump supporters and counter-demonstrators.

Wheeler then criticized Trump for a political statement, which the mayor claimed to "encourage division and stroked violence."

During the said fatal shooting, the man gunned down was wearing a hat with the symbol of a right-wing group Patriot Prayer. Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson then confirmed that the victim was a group member. 

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