New York City Council is on the brink of passing legislation to enhance oversight of the NYPD's surveillance apparatus. Per reports from Gothamist, three bills aimed at tightening the leash on how law enforcement utilizes technologies like facial recognition and drones are slated for approval. The push comes on the heels of concerns that the NYPD has ramped up their use of such tech, while being opaque about its deployment and applications.
The move to increase transparency was underscored by NYPD's substantial investment in surveillance gadgets, such as a canine-mounted camera system, an underwater drone, and a contentious robot dog dubbed "Digidog." POLITICO uncovered these details ahead of a City Council hearing, following disclosures made to the Legal Aid Society. Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez articulated the frustration and intent to actively interrogate NYPD's commitment to the surveillance technology law, saying, "So far I do not think they have been truthful."
With the bills approaching a full Council vote, one mandates the NYPD to publicly post its policy on facial recognition software online. Another seeks updates to the 2020 Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, ensuring police are using the tech in the public's best interest, requiring publication of procedures on sharing intel with outside agencies, and tracking shared data. Critical of the existing approach, Councilmember Gutiérrez highlighted "Time and again, we’ve seen a pattern of secrecy, noncompliance, and disregard for public input. ... These bills are a direct response to that lack of accountability, and they’re a necessary step toward protecting New Yorkers from unchecked surveillance and abuse," as noted by Gothamist.
Amid increased scrutiny, the NYPD has also been pivoting away from Chinese drones toward ones manufactured by American companies, and is testing new breeds of drones for rapid crime scene assessment. The department's progressive embracing of advanced technologies has often preceded comprehensive public disclosure. Yet, in a statement by the NYPD, it defended its actions, asserting, "Protecting public safety is this administration's top priority, and a key part of that mission is using technology to help keep New Yorkers safe." The NYPD also stressed that their technology has been instrumental in solving serious crimes, thereby underscoring the need for such tools in modern policing, POLITICO reported.
However, the Council's legislative efforts suggest a growing call for clarity and constraints around these technological tactics. Additional proposals include a bill that would compel the NYPD to generate detailed reports about its surveillance methodologies at the behest of the city's Department of Investigation.
