FBI Pursues AI-Powered Drones for Facial Recognition, Civil Libertarians Sound the Alarm
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is on the hunt for technology that could enable drones to conduct facial recognition, license plate recognition, and detect weapons. This move has sparked concerns among civil libertarians who warn that such a system would exacerbate the chilling effect of surveillance on activities protected by the First Amendment.
According to federal procurement documents, the FBI is looking for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to be used in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The agency's request for information has raised eyebrows among civil libertarians who argue that such a system would allow law enforcement agencies to conduct indiscriminate mass surveillance of all people.
"This technology is tailor-made for political retribution and harassment," said Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "By their very nature, these technologies are not built to spy on a specific person under criminal investigation but to do indiscriminate mass surveillance of all people."
Guariglia's comments come as law enforcement agencies across the US have increasingly turned to drone technology to combat crime, respond to emergencies, and patrol borders. However, the use of drones to surveil protesters and others taking part in activities ostensibly protected under the Constitution frequently raises concerns.
The FBI's pursuit of AI-powered drones has also raised questions about the potential risks of facial recognition technology. Guariglia warned that police could fly a face recognition drone over a protest and obtain a list of attendees within a few passes, which would essentially be technology "tailor-made for political retribution and harassment."
Moreover, the use of AI-enabled drones to identify weapons could exacerbate standoffs between police and civilians in delicate situations. Guariglia noted that no company has yet proven that AI firearm detection is a viable technology, citing instances where such systems have been plagued by problems and criticisms of ineffectiveness.
As concerns about government overreach continue to grow, civil libertarians are sounding the alarm on the FBI's pursuit of AI-powered drones for surveillance purposes. With the Trump administration pushing forward with authoritarian measures, it remains to be seen whether this move would be used to further erode civil liberties or serve as a means to protect them.
The Intercept has long covered issues related to government overreach and the importance of press freedom in defending democracy. As we continue to monitor this developing story, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and it's essential to stay vigilant and informed about these critical issues.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is on the hunt for technology that could enable drones to conduct facial recognition, license plate recognition, and detect weapons. This move has sparked concerns among civil libertarians who warn that such a system would exacerbate the chilling effect of surveillance on activities protected by the First Amendment.
According to federal procurement documents, the FBI is looking for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to be used in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The agency's request for information has raised eyebrows among civil libertarians who argue that such a system would allow law enforcement agencies to conduct indiscriminate mass surveillance of all people.
"This technology is tailor-made for political retribution and harassment," said Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "By their very nature, these technologies are not built to spy on a specific person under criminal investigation but to do indiscriminate mass surveillance of all people."
Guariglia's comments come as law enforcement agencies across the US have increasingly turned to drone technology to combat crime, respond to emergencies, and patrol borders. However, the use of drones to surveil protesters and others taking part in activities ostensibly protected under the Constitution frequently raises concerns.
The FBI's pursuit of AI-powered drones has also raised questions about the potential risks of facial recognition technology. Guariglia warned that police could fly a face recognition drone over a protest and obtain a list of attendees within a few passes, which would essentially be technology "tailor-made for political retribution and harassment."
Moreover, the use of AI-enabled drones to identify weapons could exacerbate standoffs between police and civilians in delicate situations. Guariglia noted that no company has yet proven that AI firearm detection is a viable technology, citing instances where such systems have been plagued by problems and criticisms of ineffectiveness.
As concerns about government overreach continue to grow, civil libertarians are sounding the alarm on the FBI's pursuit of AI-powered drones for surveillance purposes. With the Trump administration pushing forward with authoritarian measures, it remains to be seen whether this move would be used to further erode civil liberties or serve as a means to protect them.
The Intercept has long covered issues related to government overreach and the importance of press freedom in defending democracy. As we continue to monitor this developing story, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and it's essential to stay vigilant and informed about these critical issues.
This is a total recipe for disaster 
. I mean, think about it - drones equipped with facial recognition tech flying around everywhere? It's like something straight out of Minority Report 
. We're already dealing with enough surveillance stuff in this country; the last thing we need is more of that going on. And what's to stop these drones from being used as a tool for harassment or intimidation? 
The thought of law enforcement using them to spy on protesters is just plain creepy 
. Can't they think of anything else to do with their resources? 
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. It's not just about the tech itself; it's about the intent behind it and how it affects our society as a whole 
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. It's not just about the FBI or law enforcement; it's about all of us, as citizens, having a say in our own democracy 
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! The FBI is basically asking for a way to fly around and spy on us without any oversight or checks. Facial recognition tech is already super invasive, but having drones do it is just wrong 
. What's next, drones tracking our every move? It feels like they're trying to create this Orwellian surveillance state that we can't even fight back against 
. We need to keep pushing for transparency and accountability in law enforcement. This kind of technology could be used against peaceful protesters or anyone who speaks out against the system. It's a slippery slope, folks, and we need to stay vigilant 
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. If they can use drones for facial recognition and mass surveillance, that's just a recipe for disaster 
. I'm all for law enforcement using tech to fight crime, but this is just too much 
. What's next? 
The FBI is just gonna use drones to spy on people without even having a reason? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie where they're always watching you 
. And then there's the issue of AI-powered drones detecting weapons, what if they start misidentifying innocent people as a threat? That would be disastrous 
. The fact that the FBI is pursuing this tech makes me think that the government's got its priorities all wrong – instead of focusing on real issues, they're investing in gadgets that'll just give 'em more power to spy on us 
. And yeah, Matthew Guariglia is spot on when he says it's "tailor-made for political retribution and harassment" 
. Can't we just take a step back and think about how our actions might affect the people around us? 
! This is seriously a huge step in the wrong direction for our civil liberties. The FBI is basically asking for permission to use drones to spy on anyone they want, without any oversight or regulation. It's like, what's next? They'll be flying around with cameras on every single person, monitoring their every move... it's so creepy 
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. I mean, we already have enough issues with police brutality and racial profiling; do we really need more technology that can be used to target certain groups? And what about people who are just trying to exercise their rights to free speech or protest? They should be protected from drone surveillance, not harassed by the government.
This tech is just another way for gov't to keep an eye on us 24/7. I mean, what's next? Drones watching our every move at the mall or on public transportation? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it feels all too real 
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. I'm no civil libertarian expert, but it seems like we're talking about a whole new level of surveillance state here 
AI drones? No thanks! 
It's like the government wants to see our every move 24/7 
. What's next? Home surveillance on your front porch? 
. 
