Microsoft Expands Global Ban on Police Use of Facial Recognition in Azure OpenAI

The tech giant's updated policy now prohibits law enforcement worldwide from using its AI for real-time facial recognition, reflecting broader concerns over privacy and bias.

Microsoft's recent update extends previous U.S. restrictions to a global scale, banning all real-time law enforcement facial recognition via mobile cameras.
The decision underscores the tech industry's ongoing struggle with the ethical implications of AI, particularly around issues of privacy and racial bias.
Despite the ban, certain controlled environments and stationary cameras may still be permitted for law enforcement use outside the U.S.
Experts highlight the move as part of a larger trend among tech companies to set strict AI usage boundaries to prevent societal harm.
The policy change follows heightened scrutiny of AI tools in law enforcement, including concerns over accuracy and potential misuse.