Pflugerville City Council members approved a new policy to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence, surveillance technology, and data sharing.
Council members unanimously approved the Secure, Accountable, Fair, Explainable (SAFE) policy at an October 27 meeting.
According to the City of Pflugerville, SAFE “sets standards for reviewing and approving technology that could affect residents’ rights or access to city services. It also limits how city data can be used and shared.”
The policy requires city technology to be classified as low, moderate, or high risk based on usage and potential impacts.
High-risk systems include technology for law enforcement, surveillance, and biometric identification and will require City Council review and approval.
SAFE also adds safeguards regarding resident oversight, human review, data privacy, surveillance restrictions, data sharing, and public transparency.
Oversight will involve a City Council-appointed resident commission to review new technology.
“Human review” indicates that AI cannot replace human judgment in significant decisions “involving law and code enforcement, permits, or access to city services.”
New surveillance restrictions prohibit facial recognition, some biometric identification systems, tracking of lawful activity, and social scoring based on behavior. Such activities would require City Council authorization.
Outside organizations seeking access to city data must now sign written agreements and have council approval before data sharing can take place.
The city must also maintain a webpage and submit an annual report describing high-risk technology, its uses, and its safeguards.
The city will also create a process for the public to report concerns, seek human review of AI-assisted decisions, and correct inaccurate information.
SAFE takes effect immediately, with all elements to be implemented within a year.
“Technology helps us serve our community better, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of privacy, accountability or public trust,” stated Mayor Doug Weiss. “Our residents deserve to know how these tools are used and what we’re doing to protect their information. This policy allows us to embrace new technology while keeping the people we serve at the center of every decision.”
The policy follows ongoing public concerns about privacy in the city.
According to the Pflugerville Police Department, an issue with permissions in the Flock operating system allowed nonpartner law enforcement agencies to access the city’s Flock data.
In August, Pflugerville City Council voted to deactivate its 28 Flock Safety cameras, and Pflugerville ISD suspended its Flock cameras.
