ICE Spends Millions On Clearview AI Facial Recognition Tech
ICE has recently spent approximately $4 million on facial recognition technology to investigate individuals it believes have harmed law enforcement officers, according to procurement records obtained by 404 Media. The records suggest that ICE is purchasing the technology to identify people who might assault the agency’s officers as they continue the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
Continuous claims from authorities state that members of the public have assaulted or attacked ICE or immigration enforcement officers. But charges related to these claims have been dropped or lowered when it was highlighted that authorities misunderstood what happened or violently attacked protesters themselves. In some cases, prosecutions are still ongoing.
ICE using facial recognition technology
ICE purchased awards of $3,750,000 on September 5 to the controversial facial recognition firm Clearview AI. This brings the total value of the contract to $9,225,000, according to records reviewed by 404 Media. Clearview’s facial recognition tool has faced public backlash.
It has repeatedly contracted with ICE, as stated by procurement records. But those purchases did not directly state the technology would be utilised for identifying people the agency believed were assaulting officers.
“Based on how we’ve seen charges of assaulting an officer play out in the last few weeks, it’s clear that stating that the the invasive FRT [facial recognition technology] will be used to thwart ‘officer assaults’ means it will be used to identify protestors and link them to their online presence. It’s a partnership tailor-made to infringe on people’s First Amendment-protected rights,” Matthew Guariglia, senior policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation told 404 Media.
Clearview’s controversial facial recognition tool
The tool took publicly posted pictures from Facebook and Instagram without the user’s knowledge or permission. The Department of Justice utilized the tool, as did retailers such as Best Buy and Macy’s, as well as law enforcement and government-associated agencies in several countries.
It was amid legal drama after the UK’s privacy watchdog fined Clearview AI more than $9.5 million. The fine was issued after a few senators called on federal agencies to halt the use of facial recognition technology developed by Clearview AI.
In letters signed by Sens. Edward Markey and Jeffrey Merkley, as well as House Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Ayanna Pressley, the technology was said to pose “unique threats” to Black communities, other communities of color, and immigrant communities.
Image: LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR
