GAO warns of privacy risks in using facial recognition in rental housing

Summary

RENTAL HOUSING Use and Federal Oversight of Property Technology Report to Congressional Requesters July 2025 GAO-25-107196 United States Government Accountability Office For more information, contact Alicia Puente Cackley at CackleyA@gao.gov. Highlights of GAO-25-107196, a report to congressional requesters July 2025 RENTAL HOUSING Use and Federal Oversight of Property Technology Why GAO Did This Study Some policymakers have raised questions about the use of property technology tools in the rental housing market, including their potential to produce discriminatory or unfair outcomes for renters. GAO was asked to assess various aspects of property technology use in the rental housing market. This report examines (1) the use of four selected property technology tools, (2) their potential benefits and risks for owners and renters, and (3) federal agencies’ oversight of these tools. GAO focused on four commonly used types of property technology tools (see figure). GAO reviewed studies by federal agencies and advocacy and industry groups; agency guidance and documentation; and rulemakings, legal cases, and enforcement actions issued in 2019–2024. GAO also interviewed officials of four federal agencies responsible for enforcing statutes that address housing discrimination; anticompetitive, unfair, or deceptive acts affecting commerce; and the use of consumer credit reports; and representatives of 12 property technology companies, 10 public housing agencies, and nine advocacy or industry groups (nongeneralizable sample groups, selected for their expertise in or use of these technologies). What GAO Recommends GAO recommends that HUD provide more specific written direction to public housing agencies on the use of facial recognition technology. What GAO Found Property technology broadly refers to the use of software, digital platforms, and other digital tools used in the housing market. Property owners and renters use these technologies for functions including advertising, to...