Surveillance Made in Israel in the USA: Cognyte and the Proliferation of Interception Technologies
In the United States, the adoption of advanced surveillance technologies by law enforcement agencies is growing, with a particular focus on tools developed by Israeli companies. Among these, Cognyte Solutions stands out for its rapid expansion in the security market, despite a controversial past linked to human rights violations.
The Rise of Cognyte and Israeli Roots
Israel has become a global hub for surveillance technologies, with more companies in the sector per capita than any other nation. This phenomenon is largely attributable to the Israeli army's Unit 8200, a communications intelligence unit that serves as a talent pool for the private security industry. It is estimated that 80% of the founders of Israeli security sector companies have served in this unit.
Cognyte Solutions has particular origins. Born in 2019 as a spin-off of Verint Technologies' security division, another Israeli company, Cognyte inherited technologies already subject to criticism. A 2018 investigation by Haaretz had indeed revealed that Verint had provided surveillance tools to authoritarian governments, used to suppress minorities, activists, and protesters.
Controversial Technologies and Human Rights Violations
Among the most controversial technologies developed by Cognyte and Verint are Cell-Site Simulators (CSS), devices capable of intercepting cellular communications. These tools work as fake repeaters, tricking phones into connecting to them instead of legitimate cell towers, thus allowing access to unencrypted calls and messages.
Documents published by human rights groups in Burma have shown that Cognyte sold its FalcoNet software to the Burmese army before the 2021 coup. According to a report by the US State Department, these technologies facilitated systematic human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions.
Expansion in the USA and Concerns for Civil Liberties
In recent years, Cognyte has secured contracts with various American law enforcement agencies. Among the most recent clients are the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C., the NYPD, and the Texas State Police. These increasingly advanced devices now operate on 5G bands and Wi-Fi, allowing monitoring of app usage and online searches.
CSS technologies have been used for controversial purposes, such as monitoring the phones of Haitian refugees in Florida. Their portability - they can be installed in police cars or special backpacks - makes them difficult to trace and potentially capable of collecting data far beyond the specific target of investigations.
Concerns for Civil Liberties
Civil rights experts like Chip Gibbons of Defending Rights and Dissent warn against the use of these technologies, which could violate the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, protecting against unreasonable searches. "I can't imagine why law enforcement would want to use this technology unless the goal is to create a surveillance network, with the misguided belief that new technologies are exempt from existing protections," Gibbons stated.
The proliferation of these technologies raises troubling questions about the balance between public security and individual rights, especially considering the controversial past of Israeli companies in the sector and their role in testing technologies on Palestinian populations.
Towards a Necessary Public Debate
As American law enforcement agencies continue to adopt these advanced technologies, a public debate on their transparency, appropriate use, and potential consequences for civil liberties becomes increasingly urgent. The lack of response from many agencies and the company itself to requests for clarification only increases concerns.
In an era where surveillance technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, society must ask itself to what extent it is willing to accept the erosion of privacy in the name of security.
Broader Context: Technological Surveillance in the USA
The purchase of surveillance technologies by American law enforcement agencies is not limited to Cognyte devices. In recent years, there has been widespread adoption of systems such as Flock cameras, automatic license plate readers capable of collecting data on anyone passing in front of the cameras, and Ring smart doorbells, which have shared data with law enforcement. A national movement is calling for the cancellation of contracts with Flock, while Ring users have forced the company to modify its data-sharing policies.
The Israeli Surveillance Industry
The Israeli surveillance industry has grown thanks to the contribution of Unit 8200, an intelligence unit of the Israeli armed forces that serves as a pipeline to the private industry. 80% of the founders of Israeli internal security companies have served in this unit. This has led to an unparalleled concentration of surveillance companies in Israel.
Technological Evolution: Next-Generation CSS
CSS technologies are evolving rapidly. New generations of devices operate on 5G bands and Wi-Fi, allowing monitoring not only of calls and messages but also of app usage and online searches. These devices can be installed in police cars or special backpacks, making them extremely portable and difficult to trace. Their ability to operate discreetly raises significant concerns about privacy and constitutional rights.
The Case of the Albuquerque PD
The Albuquerque Police Department has recently awarded a contract to Cognyte to become its exclusive provider of CSS technologies. This agreement raises further questions about the widespread use of these technologies by local and state law enforcement agencies across the country.
Public Debate and Legal Implications
The public debate on the use of these technologies has become increasingly urgent. Concerns relate not only to individual privacy but also to the legal implications of using advanced surveillance technologies without adequate constitutional safeguards. The lack of transparency from law enforcement and technology provider companies only increases concerns.
Implications for Vulnerable Communities
Surveillance technologies can have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, such as refugees and minorities. The use of these technologies to monitor the phones of Haitian refugees in Florida is a concerning example of how surveillance technologies can be used for controversial purposes.
The Role of Civil Rights Organizations
Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) are playing a crucial role in monitoring and countering the use of advanced surveillance technologies. The EFF has documented the use of CSS in over 80 police departments across the country and has raised concerns about their use in covered and warrantless searches.
Challenges for the Future
As surveillance technologies continue to evolve, society must face the challenges of balancing public security with individual rights. This requires an open and transparent public debate, as well as an adequate regulatory framework to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and respectful of constitutional rights.
Towards Necessary Regulation
The proliferation of advanced surveillance technologies requires adequate regulation to ensure they are used transparently and respectful of constitutional rights. This includes the need for safeguards against misuse and the protection of personal data.
As American law enforcement agencies continue to adopt advanced surveillance technologies, it is essential that society engages in an open and informed public debate on the implications of these technologies for privacy and civil rights. Only through open dialogue and adequate regulation can it be ensured that these technologies are used responsibly and respectful of democratic values.
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