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ICE Seeks Information on Big Data and Ad Tech Products for Investigations Amid Privacy Concerns, (from page 20260222.)

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Summary

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking information from companies about commercial Big Data and Ad Tech products to aid in investigative activities. This request, published in the Federal Register, aims to identify tools that can help manage the rising volume of information ICE encounters from various sources. Although details are sparse regarding specific regulations or privacy standards, the request highlights a growing interest in using technologies initially created for digital advertising for government surveillance and law enforcement. ICE has previously acquired services for mobile location data from different companies, using it to enhance its investigative capabilities. This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened federal scrutiny related to immigration enforcement actions and incidents involving federal officers.

Signals

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Growing Use of Ad Tech in Law Enforcement ICE’s interest in ad tech for investigation could signal a shift in surveillance practices. Law enforcement may increasingly integrate commercial data from ad tech into investigations. Data from commercial advertising sectors could become standard in law enforcement practices. The need for enhanced investigative tools in response to rising crime and regulatory complexity. 4
Privacy Concerns Regarding Data Usage The increasing use of big data in investigations raises privacy issues and regulatory scrutiny. Shift from a presumption of privacy to greater scrutiny of personal data in investigations. Public sentiment may result in stricter regulations regarding data privacy in law enforcement. Growing awareness and concerns about civil liberties and privacy rights. 5
Federal Agencies Seeking Big Data Solutions ICE’s request indicates a trend towards government reliance on big data analytics. Government agencies are moving towards data-driven approaches for investigations. Big data analytics could become essential in all government investigations and operational strategies. The acceleration of technological advancements is shaping government operational needs. 4
Contentious Nature of Surveillance Practices Recent protests against ICE suggest rising public opposition to surveillance tactics. Public response to governmental surveillance could lead to changes in law enforcement practices. Increased public activism could result in more transparency and accountability in surveillance methods. Public accountability movements aimed at protecting civil rights and liberties. 5

Concerns

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Data Privacy Violations Concerns over potential misuse of data collected from Ad Tech and Big Data products in law enforcement investigations, infringing on personal privacy rights.
Expansion of Surveillance Tools The growing adoption of commercial surveillance technologies by government agencies, leading to increased monitoring of individuals without accountability.
Lack of Regulatory Clarity Uncertainty regarding the regulations that govern the use of Big Data in investigations, potentially allowing for unethical practices.
Consent Issues in Data Usage Previous allegations against data brokers for selling location data without proper consent, raising ethical concerns about data ownership.
Erosion of Civil Liberties The integration of commercial ad tech in law enforcement could lead to a significant erosion of civil liberties and rights of individuals.
Potential for Misidentification The use of AI and big data analytics could lead to inaccuracies and misidentification in criminal investigations, harming innocent individuals.
Dependency on Commercial Technology Increased reliance on private sector technology for public safety, which may prioritize profit over ethical considerations and civil rights.

Behaviors

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Government Use of Ad Tech for Investigations Increasingly, government agencies like ICE are exploring the use of commercial ad tech products for law enforcement and surveillance purposes.
Integration of Big Data in Law Enforcement Law enforcement agencies are seeking big data solutions to manage and analyze criminal and regulatory documentation.
Privacy Concerns in Data Usage The utilization of location data and consumer information by government agencies raises significant concerns about privacy and consent.
Co-Opting Commercial Technology for Public Security The trend of repurposing commercial technologies originally designed for advertising into tools for public security and surveillance is emerging.
Increased Scrutiny of Data Brokers Growing government interest in data broker practices and their compliance with privacy regulations.
Escalation of Federal Response to Protests As government enforcement actions escalate, data collection related to protests and public actions is becoming more prominent.

Technologies

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Big Data Analytics for Investigations Tools designed to manage and analyze large volumes of data for use in law enforcement investigations and analytics.
Ad Tech for Government Surveillance Technologies originally developed for digital advertising being repurposed for governmental law enforcement and surveillance activities.
Mobile Location Data Services Services that provide access to consumer location data sourced from mobile devices for investigative purposes.
Data Brokerage Techniques Methods used by companies to collect, analyze, and sell consumer data, often without user consent, for commercial and governmental use.
Palantir Gotham A customized investigative tool used for law enforcement to store, search, and visualize data pertinent to investigations.
Venntel Location Data Services A data brokerage service that provides detailed consumer location information for investigative agencies.

Issues

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Use of Commercial Big Data for Law Enforcement ICE is seeking to utilize commercial big data and ad tech products for investigative purposes, raising privacy concerns.
Integration of Ad Tech in Government Surveillance Government’s increasing reliance on ad tech tools for law enforcement could lead to ethical and regulatory challenges.
Consumer Privacy and Data Consent Allegations against companies like Venntel highlight ongoing tensions between data use and consumer consent in government contexts.
Public Accountability in Law Enforcement Technology Escalating concern over technology used by ICE amidst protests could lead to calls for greater oversight and accountability.
Impact of Location Data on Civil Liberties Use of location data by ICE raises potential issues regarding civil liberties and privacy violations.