Technology (Consumer Data Protection)

This bill prohibits all federal agencies from using facial recognition technology to verify someone's identity, directly affecting government operations like border security or benefit applications. It defines facial recognition technology as systems that automatically identify individuals from digital images or video. The key provision bans this specific use across federal departments, though it doesn't restrict other government applications like law enforcement investigations. The law focuses solely on identity verification processes, leaving other uses of the technology unaffected.

HR 3060, the "No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act of 2025," prohibits owners of federally assisted rental housing (including public housing, Section 8 units, and supportive housing programs) from using facial recognition, fingerprint, or remote biometric technology (like voice or gait analysis) for surveillance or other purposes that could unfairly affect tenant access to housing. The ban takes effect one year after the bill's enactment and applies to all covered housing types listed in the bill, such as those under the Housing Act of 1937 or Native American housing programs. It also requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to report to Congress within a year on past biometric use in these units, its impacts on tenants, and effects on vulnerable communities. This law directly affects housing owners in federally subsidized properties by banning specific surveillance technologies and mandating transparency about their prior use.

HR 3693 prohibits all federal agencies from creating or maintaining databases that store biometric data used for verifying U.S. citizens' identities. The bill specifically bans databases containing information like fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris patterns collected through biometric identity verification systems. It applies directly to every federal agency, preventing them from using such technology for citizen identification purposes. This is a clear policy change restricting federal data collection practices related to biometric identification.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from using facial recognition, voice recognition, or other biometric surveillance technology for immigration enforcement. It directly affects ICE, CBP, and 287(g) deputized officers by banning their acquisition, possession, or use of such technology in the U.S. The bill requires immediate deletion of all existing biometric data collected by these officers within 30 days and makes evidence obtained in violation inadmissible in court. Violations could lead to lawsuits by affected individuals or state attorneys general, with possible damages, penalties, or injunctive relief.

HR 7445, the Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026, requires large electronic communication service providers (with 1 million+ users) to disclose customer communications or records to law enforcement within 72 hours of a court order. Courts may extend this deadline in 7-day increments for complex or voluminous data requests. The bill also shortens the deadline for providers to challenge disclosure orders to 48 hours and allows individuals harmed by non-compliance to sue for damages and injunctive relief. This directly affects major tech companies and internet service providers meeting the user threshold, streamlining but tightening data disclosure processes for law enforcement.