Hacked data shines light on homeland security’s AI surveillance ambitions

Hacked data from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Industry Partnership reveals ambitious funding for various AI-powered surveillance initiatives across different sectors.
Projects include automated airport surveillance, biometric data collection using smartphones, and advanced predictive policing systems processing 911 call data.
The data provides insight into the department’s surveillance goals, following a significant funding boost and controversies over data collection methods.
The records show that over 6,000 companies have bid for DHS contracts, not all of which were funded, underscoring the extensive interest in homeland security tech from the private sector.
Ethical concerns are raised about the potential for misuse, disproportionate impacts, and the underlying assumptions of technologies aimed at behavioral prediction and policing.
The leaked information was sourced from a “cyber-hacktivist” and shared by the transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets. Some data had been previously made public.
Key contracts have been awarded to established government contractors as well as new companies with no history of DHS dealings.
The Guardian reached out to several firms within the leaked database for commentary.