Facial Recognition - Boston (MA)

Dear Freddy Martinez,
Thank you for your interest in public records of Boston Police Department.  Your request has been received and is being processed.  Your request was received in this office on October 07, 2019 and given the reference number B001377-100719 for tracking purposes. I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 8, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

Responsive materials include but are not limited to:

• Agreements: contracts (including non-disclosure agreements), licensing agreements, nondisclosure agreements
• Bid records: Requests For Proposal (or equivalent calls for bids), sole source or limited source justification and approval documentation, documentation of selection, and other materials generated in the consideration and selection of the technology in question
• Company relations and communications: records related to meetings or follow-up actions with any vendors, companies, or other private entities marketing face recognition to this agency for immigration, intelligence, law enforcement, or other use.
• Financial records: purchase orders, invoices, and other memoranda and documentation.
• Marketing records: All marketing materials - unsolicited, requested, or otherwise - acquired from vendors of face recognition technology
• Policy records: any policy directives, guidance documents, memoranda, training materials, or similar records governing the use of face recognition technology for immigration, law enforcement, or other purposes. Any memoranda of understanding between this agency and other agencies to share data, access remote systems or other forms of information sharing with external agencies.
• Training records: training material governing the use, sharing, or access to any related data related to or collected by the face recognition software/technology, including the legal standard that is required before using the technology. Documents, should they exist, about training for bias in the use of facial recognition technology.
• Use and function records: Materials that describe the function of the software considered or in use by this agency, including emails, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, advertisements, or specification documents.
• Validation and accuracy: Records, reports, audits, and other documents sufficient to describe validation, accuracy, reliability, and policy compliance of the system.

Please limit the search to records produced from January 1, 2017 – present. Please include in your search as responsive records: communications, memorandums, background papers, meeting minutes, email exchanges, or presentation materials. If your office has questions about this request, please feel free to direct them to the address associated with this request or call the MuckRock office at 617-299-1832.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Public Records Center.
Boston Police Department
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center. (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Ow1KccipsoIsnXbuEgm-2FN44UxibBu-2FIglin8-2BcIh862t9Kmt3AfKStll-2B33fHgly7q38DmBAVMR8lGDbp0zIubKPJ0Oj0OnS5HvQEV1geJaKKPmP27YbsIqljDkWq4b-2F_kIOcAv8RYhN-2BNypAjjrxM-2FMrwWShuYVdlp54aBARmBec-2FUjKejgF2DV1QIbzL3v5lgzsmSOwmqHgnwIXLKcT2fMY7vNDlX0cTxwwiY-2B4qkx6YpF5Em9RD53OeapzYiFCgZ7-2FBRouhVOXUlCWq1qQo2DyEj87APBGb3wY3ny3A-2FAucqL1lCRrSJRJDK7r6O-2B5U-2BaQEjA5BouJvzBCl3gzDkQCGLk9-2FTXRanz7hB9RKLjRKc7PZOn5WHbPwukhY1nKfj5b6NpFaIJD728WPZ-2B-2B0yG022gIhDV79FsZ8e9pMGn8GeyzKQejThJMNaUUqkB4lq8rHI93Cy8Sa-2Fkqzrh4f20fApP7G8k4ZBA-2FnQQDEniHpfCocGGzJuQMDQ7Gt-2FKBSOsigsCJMzza0YhwKFvM2A-3D-3D)

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Mr. Martinez,
I have been told that the Boston Police Department does not use facial recognition. Therefore I don't think we would have any records responsive to your request.  There may be some emails from vendors trying to sell their products but I'm not sure that is what you're looking for.
Please advise.
Martha
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center. (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Ow1KccipsoIsnXbuEgm-2FN44UxibBu-2FIglin8-2BcIh862t9Kmt3AfKStll-2B33fHgly7q38DmBAVMR8lGDbp0zIubKPJ0Oj0OnS5HvQEV1geJaKKPmP27YbsIqljDkWq4b-2F_kIOcAv8RYhN-2BNypAjjrxM-2FMrwWShuYVdlp54aBARmBec-2FUjKejgF2DV1QIbzL3v5lgzsmSOwmqHgnwIXLKcT2eBTATtbTEkOy6QPF7oUqqjG76-2FuA4d2PNkE2ureRGNvZneOdI6sIhn-2BDVsIHubxSR1weRvbny0xLziGx7-2FM1fwh6Y-2B0pbl3dduOlJF4bYhdnDpQQgYOuofluubYHZiLTkRtRrSU4KjgM8rqQadw73G3fkKrKJtrrHeY9P30Nw1hoeAlmeio8aOS4QRuSg1hwMu0OP6lzVRyYCLAz-2FZiuq8OPW7lqFFsQ2epirAbMImyoFqV23V5ysDEQrX-2BMa9fG-2Fc9v-2Ff5VWp5AIbulkZREtplTc0wznJoJNwL3WSoSKl-2Fq2xO5zwf7CutT0FOoGo-2BKA-3D-3D)

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Hi Freddy,
Email search for vendors  Rekognition, Face++, and FaceFirst
during 1/1/17 to present? We could probably do a subject matter? unless you have names or domain??
Let me know .
Thanks
Martha
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center. (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Ow1KccipsoIsnXbuEgm-2FN44UxibBu-2FIglin8-2BcIh862t9Kmt3AfKStll-2B33fHgly7q38DmBAVMR8lGDbp0zIubKPJ0Oj0OnS5HvQEV1geJaKKPmP27YbsIqljDkWq4b-2F_kIOcAv8RYhN-2BNypAjjrxM-2FMrwWShuYVdlp54aBARmBec-2FUjKejgF2DV1QIbzL3v5lgzsmSOwmqHgnwIXLKcT2fbfKmRVFCNo3Rn3gk2oEnRntGaAG4rX9VxxNy-2Bzh0jbuduKLjzKHMW0cAuT-2BXvNNB0HDu8Kj1GkYSxBDZaiuIKODiHgfpPkMp8-2FoJFYtRONk-2FjxJ2FnsqrWY0WaGdW2rukMq1c1yAWorp9FCj3WKucHRXrNzFEJYZV6gEH1-2F5MX520-2FY-2Bwl7r-2BBCk4RyAjSE6eTGJQvmdicc92Q7UG1Ebpgy2u4Sn-2FTAbadYqthqwrantf3vvHfLk4w63QJg2pY64ivFuFKkQUtLGMjB6Re1KHrEJkN1Pl-2Fc-2B6LF35y6GtXw6ucCLltNGQC01GS2ZC0bg-3D-3D)

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City of Boston
Shawn A. Williams, Esq.
Director of Public Records 06/10/2021 RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of October 07, 2019., Reference # B001377-100719 Dear Freddy : The City of Boston (City) has received your request for public records.  This response applies only to records that exist and are in the custody of the City. See A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, p. 32, n.115.  It is expected that a custodian of records must use her superior knowledge of her records with respect to responses to public records requests.  950 CMR 32.04(5).  Specifically, you stated:
I hereby request the following records:

Records and materials related to the solicitation, acquisition, and use of face recognition technology and related software and services.
This software or services may be provided by Rekognition, Face++, and FaceFirst; this request is applicable to these and any other company providing facial recognition services under consideration or contract with this agency.

Responsive materials include but are not limited to:

• Agreements: contracts (including non-disclosure agreements), licensing agreements, nondisclosure agreements
• Bid records: Requests For Proposal (or equivalent calls for bids), sole source or limited source justification and approval documentation, documentation of selection, and other materials generated in the consideration and selection of the technology in question
• Company relations and communications: records related to meetings or follow-up actions with any vendors, companies, or other private entities marketing face recognition to this agency for immigration, intelligence, law enforcement, or other use.
• Financial records: purchase orders, invoices, and other memoranda and documentation.
• Marketing records: All marketing materials - unsolicited, requested, or otherwise - acquired from vendors of face recognition technology
• Policy records: any policy directives, guidance documents, memoranda, training materials, or similar records governing the use of face recognition technology for immigration, law enforcement, or other purposes. Any memoranda of understanding between this agency and other agencies to share data, access remote systems or other forms of information sharing with external agencies.
• Training records: training material governing the use, sharing, or access to any related data related to or collected by the face recognition software/technology, including the legal standard that is required before using the technology. Documents, should they exist, about training for bias in the use of facial recognition technology.
• Use and function records: Materials that describe the function of the software considered or in use by this agency, including emails, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, advertisements, or specification documents.
• Validation and accuracy: Records, reports, audits, and other documents sufficient to describe validation, accuracy, reliability, and policy compliance of the system.

Please limit the search to records produced from January 1, 2017 – present. Please include in your search as responsive records: communications, memorandums, background papers, meeting minutes, email exchanges, or presentation materials. The Boston Police Department sent an email to you on November 13, 2019 asking for a clarification and never received a reply.
A review indicates no recent activity on this request.  Should you still seek records I encourage you to file a new request using the City's public records request portal. Very truly yours, Shawn A. Williams, Esq. Director of Public Records Records Access Officer
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center. (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=6HtRfOYLt5fXvpttM-2FU1HS4L-2FIgBDSrHGana-2FLpLlsj8PZ-2B8QPjL1HPo2g1qgKLwXvbvIcqX6KFSHItv6e7TxFR9WW0jFUBvOBfe5-2Fk9V7w-3DHVh4_39Aov6mxjo8XWXtuIjNuai7Pz6kZ9mhG3q-2BA3pvB5kRIA5Fl-2BkIuGHhdru60YrmgeKUdnlwGTU188fieGQVsxsN5g4Hj7tOOPLkhgS4yVP-2BgJE4AaOwgKzKflerJAy5nzr3xYWSygCjqqJNkMsHag3rq-2BmFZw4WWbWTkwu9eK4k25-2BnU7ok0pNgi8879njlw8qhkA4gki4affyKxmhJxhYKOpfzC3Wb373jDgh2o0D1NAFg1lpmVZfFAlGZiZMMqgC4ktU8DN-2BI6cnH99E4Sd6N-2BEijRD5NTleF7h9m1rFFt5mG9gOA-2BXTQB83ywiezjI4sl2jxmafM4OHHEASp1tUzWEuVPiurmdJ9Eucvm2s-2B0z48JlaQfRwlSQSuT3N1hlehIhT-2FsTHcc5pnn-2BjBKCg-3D-3D)