LA Council orders privacy-policy recommendations for AI and city technology

Los Angeles city departments have been directed to recommend shared rules for handling residents’ sensitive data as officials confront privacy concerns involving AI and automated license plate readers. The City Council unanimously approved the motion on November 6, 2026, starting a policy-development process rather than adopting a final set of privacy protections.

Introduced by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, the motion assigns the Information Technology Agency and other relevant departments to bring back recommendations. Their task covers both a standard citywide privacy policy and supporting policies governing how departments use technology and the information it collects, according to MyNewsLA.

Rules for the data, not just the technology

The requested safeguards span six parts of data handling: collection, storage, retention, access, sharing and disclosure. That puts questions about keeping and distributing information alongside the initial decision to collect it. The council is asking for standards across that whole process, rather than focusing only on a particular AI application or camera system.

Departments must also address how those rules would be protected and overseen. The requested recommendations reach beyond keeping information secure to defining acceptable uses and requirements for public accountability:

• Security: cybersecurity measures and protections against unauthorized access or security breaches.
• Use limits: appropriate and prohibited uses of city technology and data.
• Accountability: transparency, oversight and auditing requirements, as well as accountability measures.

Scrutiny beyond the police department

Rodriguez pointed to the significant scrutiny of the Los Angeles Police Department’s technology use and argued that other city departments need the same attention and protections. Her case for a common policy was citywide: residents’ privacy should remain protected regardless of which department introduces or operates an emerging technology.

She also said the standards should become routine requirements when departments implement and introduce new technologies.