A majority of Milwaukee’s Common Council has come out in opposition to a proposed data-sharing arrangement between the city’s police department and biometric software vendor Biometrica. In an open letter, 11 of the city’s 15 alderpersons urged the Milwaukee Police Department to halt plans that would give the agency access to facial recognition technology in exchange for millions of mugshot records.
The proposal, first reported earlier this year, would provide the police department with free access to Biometrica’s facial recognition platform. In return, the company would receive access to an estimated 2.5 million mugshots collected by Milwaukee authorities. The department currently pays for facial recognition capabilities and is exploring ways to reduce costs while maintaining access to the technology.
The letter from council members expresses concern about the scope of the data exchange and the lack of public input surrounding the deal. While the police department has not finalized any agreement, the proposal has sparked public debate over privacy, data governance, and the appropriate role of facial recognition in law enforcement.
Critics argue that sharing such a vast trove of biometric data with a private entity could pose risks to civil liberties and public trust. Supporters of the deal have pointed to potential cost savings and improved investigative capabilities, but the lack of formal transparency procedures has raised concerns about how decisions are being made.
Previous media coverage of the arrangement has sometimes been mischaracterized as referencing past acquisitions, when in fact it pertains to this ongoing proposal. No final agreement has been reached between the Milwaukee Police Department and Biometrica as of May 20, 2025, and the department has stated that public comment is being considered as part of the evaluation process.
The Common Council’s letter significantly alters the political landscape for the initiative, making it unlikely that any deal will proceed without further scrutiny or official review. As national debate over law enforcement use of facial recognition continues, Milwaukee’s handling of this proposal may serve as a precedent for other municipalities weighing similar decisions.
Sources: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WRN, Techdirt
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May 20, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
