BLM. Protests + Private Surveillance Cameras + Local Government Access

Can local governments access private surveillance cameras- say like your doorbell’s camera or the cameras of your local improvement district?

Where is this happening? San Francisco, CA

What rules are in place for San Francisco to use private surveillance footage? They can if and only if they get approval from the local government

What’s alleged during BLM protests? That San Francisco police accessed real-time surveillance footage from private cameras in the Union Square area without first obtaining necessary approval from the Board of Supervisors

Why do we care?

• San Francisco was quick to stop using facial recognition software on the one hand but on the other police may have accessed private camera footage during a protest.
• National organizations are involved- the ACLU, EFF (Electronic Freedom Foundation)
• Camera and surveillance use legislation/regulation is common in response to BLM and this access to private video is an issue in all these public and stakeholder decisions

San Francisco Chronicle via Governing | San Francisco Sued for Allegedly Video Surveilling Protests