The Cost of Surveillance in Housing

Surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition cameras, have begun infiltrating subsidized housing without tenant consent, raising significant privacy concerns. Residents of Brooklyn's Atlantic Plaza Towers opposed these installations due to their potential invasion of privacy and discriminatory failures, particularly against women and people of color. Legislation has been proposed to address these issues, specifically the No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act of 2021, aiming to restrict the use of such invasive technologies in public housing. This highlights a broader dialogue on the ethical implications of surveillance in living spaces, especially for low-income individuals who face heightened scrutiny and privacy violations.