Consistent majorities of people say the use of facial recognition technology by police and municipal agencies is appropriate (61%) and that they would support the use of facial recognition technology by their own local police and municipal agencies (61%).
Support for the use of these surveillance technologies increases with age. Just over half of 18 to 34 year-olds say the use of facial recognition technology is appropriate in general (52%) and that they support its use by their local law enforcement (51%). Among adults 65 and older, those numbers increase to 70% and 72%, respectively.
Whites are generally more supportive of facial recognition technology. Nearly two-thirds of Whites say its use is appropriate (64%) and that they support its implementation in their own local areas (65%). Blacks are much more split in their opinion, with 51% saying the technology is appropriate and approving of its use by their own local law enforcement, and 46% saying it is inappropriate and disapproving of its use by their local police and government agencies.
Read more about our polling methodology here.
Click through all the results in the interactive toplines below:
Do you think the use of facial recognition technology by police and municipal agencies is appropriate or inappropriate?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 2,880 1,438 1,442 NET appropriate 61%61%61%Very appropriate 24%25%22%Somewhat appropriate 38%36%39%NET inappropriate 37%37%36%Somewhat inappropriate 20%18%21%Very inappropriate 17%19%15%No answer 2%2%3%Question wording: Do you think the use of facial recognition technology by police and municipal agencies is appropriate or inappropriate?Survey dates: –Would you support or oppose the use of facial recognition technology use by your local police and municipal agencies?
Gender Answer Total Male Female Unweighted N 2,880 1,438 1,442 NET support 61%62%60%Strongly support 25%28%22%Somewhat support 36%34%38%NET oppose 37%36%37%Somewhat oppose 18%16%21%Strongly oppose 18%21%16%No answer 2%2%3%Question wording: Would you support or oppose the use of facial recognition technology use by your local police and municipal agencies?Survey dates: –
Question text:
Do you think the use of facial recognition technology by police and municipal agencies is appropriate or inappropriate?
Would you support or oppose the use of facial recognition technology use by your local police and municipal agencies?
*consumers
