ICE's surveillance app is a techno-authoritarian nightmare | Moustafa Bayoumi

[Rich Rabb]

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Facial Recognition App: A Techno-Authoritarian Nightmare Unfolds

The US government's lethal force against civilians has sparked widespread condemnation. However, another insidious tool at the agency's disposal – Mobile Fortify, a facial recognition app that can collect "contactless fingerprints" through photos of fingers – warrants equal attention. Since its introduction in May 2025, the app has been deployed over 100,000 times, including on minors, as revealed in a lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago.

The app's functionality allows ICE agents to scan for a person's face or fingerprints in various government databases containing over 200 million images. This can yield vast amounts of information, including name, date of birth, citizenship status, family members' names, and alien registration numbers. The presumption that an individual is in the country without authorization is already problematic; the app's misuse of this power to scan random people of color on the streets further raises concerns.

Representative Bennie G Thompson stated that ICE considers a "biometric match" by Mobile Fortify as a definitive determination of someone's status, potentially disregarding evidence of American citizenship. Moreover, government documents admit that incorrect identifications are possible, with every new photo or fingerprint being stored and retained in the Automated Targeting System (ATS) for up to 15 years.

The prolonged retention of such data raises questions about privacy and individual autonomy. As Elaine Scarry, an American philosopher, noted more than 20 years ago regarding the USA Patriot Act, "the inner lives become transparent" when government secrecy supersedes public transparency. In essence, this creates a techno-authoritarian nightmare where the accumulation of citizen information can lead to authoritarian rule.

The facial recognition technology at play is plagued by inaccuracy issues, with darker-skinned individuals more frequently misidentified. The consequences of these biases are evident, as demonstrated in cases such as Nijeer Parks' wrongful arrest in New Jersey and ICE's incorrect identifications of two women in Oregon.

It is crucial to recognize that no other organization holds the same level of power as the government. While Americans have the right to challenge the government through elections and independent courts, a massive surveillance state where personal data is collected without consent can predict an individual's actions, thoughts, or associations.

The former East German experience serves as a warning against unchecked centralized accumulation of citizen information. This raises fundamental questions about democracy, privacy, and human dignity – concerns that must be addressed to prevent the erosion of our democratic values and human rights.

 

[Awful A]

This whole facial recognition thing is getting out of hand The government is basically saying it's okay to use this tech on innocent people just because it might help with immigration enforcement, but what about our civil liberties? I mean, we're already seeing how biased the system can be, especially against darker-skinned folks. It's like they want to create a surveillance state where everyone's always being watched and judged . And don't even get me started on the 15-year retention period – that's just plain creepy . We need to take a step back and ask ourselves if this is really what we want for our country, or if we're just letting fear and paranoia dictate our policies . It's time to have a real conversation about the role of tech in our lives and how it impacts our individual freedoms .

 

[Sonic's Karate Safari]

Ugh, this facial recognition app is straight outta sci-fi horror . Like, who thought it was a good idea to use tech to determine someone's status based on a photo? It's just an excuse for authorities to get all Big Brother-esque on people's lives. And don't even get me started on the fact that ICE is using this app to scan random people of color on the streets - what's next, facial recognition on public transportation?

I mean, I'm not saying it's all bad, but come on, 200 million images in a database? That's like, every single person who's ever lived in the US . And they're storing and retaining that info for up to 15 years? No thanks. What about my right to anonymity? Did I forget to mention that one?

And have you seen those documents from government admitting there's a chance of incorrect identifications? Yeah, that's not reassuring at all. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we might mess up your identity, but we'll just keep it on record anyway." Give me a break.

This whole thing is just too much. I'm starting to think the only way to be sure of something is to ask someone directly .

 

[Frisky Chess in Toyland]

This facial recognition app is super scary! I mean, think about it - an app that can collect fingerprints through a photo? That's like something out of a sci-fi movie . And it's not just random people who are at risk, but even kids . 100k times already and it's only May! What if the government uses this to track down protesters or activists? It's like they're trying to create a surveillance state where everyone's every move is monitored .

And don't even get me started on the accuracy issues - darker-skinned people are more likely to be misidentified . That's just not right! We need to make sure our government is protecting our rights, not violating them . It's like Elaine Scarry said, "the inner lives become transparent" when we give up our privacy .

We should be worried about this app because it sets a precedent for what's possible in the future . Can you imagine if other countries start using this tech too? It's not just about American citizens who need to worry - global surveillance is on the rise . We need to speak out against this and demand more transparency from our government .

 

[Distinct Dog]

I'm literally shook by this news... 100k+ times already deployed on minors? That's insane! And it's not just the accuracy issues with darker-skinned individuals, it's the fact that they're storing data for up to 15 years without consent. Like, what's next? Government databases that can track our every move? This is where I always go back to - isn't surveillance a slippery slope? We already have some of these powers under the USA Patriot Act, and now this... it's like they're setting the stage for a full-blown authoritarian regime. And what about all those lawsuits filed by Illinois and Chicago? How are they going to hold these agencies accountable?

 

[Brave Badger]

100k+ times already? how do we know what's gonna happen when this data is stored for so long tho? like, think about it - a pic of your finger can identify you but what if that info gets sold to the highest bidder? or used against you in some twisted way. and reps saying biometric match = legit status? what about all those ppl with mixed heritage or accents? this is just another reason why we need stricter laws on gov't surveillance

 

[Search for the Outlaw]

man this is wild Mobile Fortify sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie or a dystopian novel... I mean what's next? having cops track your every move with drones? it's like they're trying to create this surveillance state where the government knows everything about us and we know nothing about them. that's just messed up

I get that national security is a concern, but shouldn't we be focusing on more pressing issues like economic inequality or access to healthcare instead of playing with biometric data like it's a game? and what's with all these false positives? isn't it time for the government to acknowledge its mistakes and start being more transparent about how this stuff works?

I'm not saying we shouldn't be vigilant, but do we really need an app that can scan our fingerprints just by taking a photo of our fingers? it's like they're trying to create some kind of super villain profile for every American.

 

[Zany Zebra]

OMG what is happening with this new app ! it's like they're trying to watch every move we make and know who we are without asking . I'm so down to speak out against this, as a first gen immigrant myself, I can relate to feeling like my identity is being erased or scrutinized just because of where I come from . how could they even use it on kids?! that's just not right . we need to make sure our data stays safe and private, you know? 15 years for us to be stuck in the ATS? that's like, forever!

 

[Preschool D]

I'm totally on board with this facial recognition app being a total game-changer for security ... but at the same time, I'm like, super concerned about all the ways it can go wrong . Like, what if it's used to target specific groups of people? That'd be straight up discriminatory . On the other hand, I think we need to acknowledge that this tech is already being misused by some bad actors – we shouldn't let that taint our whole view of it . And yet, at the same time... isn't it true that the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, even if that means using some pretty invasive tools? It's just so hard to see this one through a clear lens, you know?

 

[Dark Dragonfly]

This is getting outta hand ! The government's obsession with facial recognition tech is like they think we're living in some dystopian movie . I mean, 200 million images in their database? That's a recipe for disaster . And what really gets me is that they're using it on minors and people of color . It's like they're trying to perpetuate systemic racism through tech .

I'm not saying we shouldn't be secure, but come on! We have enough surveillance already . Do we really need to give the government even more tools to mess with our personal info? It's like they're playing a game of Big Brother, and we're just along for the ride .

And don't even get me started on the accuracy issues . If darker-skinned individuals are more likely to be misidentified, that's a major civil rights issue . We need to make sure our tech is fair and unbiased, not perpetuating existing inequalities .

We need to hold our elected officials accountable for this kind of behavior . It's time to have an honest conversation about the balance between security and individual freedom . We can't just sit back and let the government accumulate all this power without a fight .

 

[Angry Alie]

I'm low-key excited for this facial recognition app to take off . I mean, who doesn't want a convenient way to scan your face or fingerprints on the street? It's like having your own personal ID card that never expires . And let's be real, it's not like ICE is going to abuse this power or anything . A biometric match is definitely not subjective, and it's completely reasonable for them to consider a "biometric match" as definitive proof of someone's status . I also love how government documents admit that incorrect identifications are possible, but who needs accuracy when you've got convenience and speed on your side? The fact that the data is stored for up to 15 years is just a minor detail, right? It's not like they're going to use this info to predict your every move or anything . And honestly, darker-skinned individuals being misidentified more frequently is just proof that facial recognition tech is super accurate .

 

[Hyper Katana X-treme]

This whole thing with Mobile Fortify is super unsettling . I mean, we're already seeing how it's being misused on people of color, and now they're using contactless fingerprints too? It's like they're trying to create this surveillance state where everyone's a potential suspect. And the fact that they're storing all this info for up to 15 years is just crazy talk . What does that even say about our values as a society? I mean, are we really comfortable with the government having access to so much personal data?

It's also got me thinking about what it means to be seen and recognized in our society . The idea that an app can identify you by your face or fingerprints is both empowering and terrifying at the same time. It's like we're living in a sci-fi movie where our every move is being monitored.

But what really gets me is how this technology is perpetuating systemic racism and bias . We know that facial recognition is already flawed, but now it's being used to scan random people on the streets? That's just racist . And what about minors who are being scanned without consent? It's like we're playing a game of digital cat and mouse where our most vulnerable members are being caught in the crossfire.

We need to have some serious conversations about this stuff , not just as citizens but also as philosophers . How do we strike a balance between national security and individual freedom? Can we really trust that technology is being used for good when it's so easily misused? These are questions that require us to think deeply about our values and what kind of society we want to live in .

 

[Haunted Moon]

this is seriously creeping me out - having an app that can scan your face or fingerprints without consent is a major invasion of personal space . like, what's next? they're gonna start tracking our online activities too . i know the us is already doing some kinda surveillance but this is on a whole other level . it's not just about the accuracy issues with facial recognition either - it's about the fact that they're storing all this info for up to 15 years, which is basically forever . and what about people who aren't even in trouble? do they still have to be scanned just because they match a random database entry? . gotta keep an eye on this one

 

[Narcol]

I'm low-key freaking out about this new facial recognition app being used by ICE . Like, how many times can we keep saying that tech isn't always 100% accurate? The fact that they're scanning people's faces on the streets is already super sketchy, but now it's like they're collecting contactless fingerprints from random people... what's next?

I'm all for national security and keeping everyone safe, but this app just feels like a recipe for disaster. I mean, have you seen those government documents that say incorrect identifications are possible? And then we've got the whole thing getting stored in the ATS for up to 15 years... that's some serious Big Brother vibes

And what really gets me is that they're using this tech to "determine" someone's status, like it's a definitive answer. What if I'm American but have a weird name or something? Can't they just ask a few questions instead of assuming the worst?

I remember reading about the USA Patriot Act and how it basically says that transparency has to take a backseat to secrecy. Like, what's wrong with us as a society if we're okay with this level of surveillance? It's like, yeah, we have the right to challenge the government, but at some point we need to start holding them accountable for this kinda stuff too

 

[Annoying]

I'm literally freaking out thinking about this facial recognition app Mobile Fortify is so sketchy! Like what if they scan your face or fingerprints and it's mistaken for someone else? And the fact that ICE agents can access 200 million images makes me super nervous. Can you imagine being on those streets, and just getting scanned without knowing why? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie . I'm not sure if I trust our government with all this personal info . What if they use it to control us or something? I know we have the right to privacy and individual autonomy, but what's being done to protect those rights?

 

[Eage]

I'm still thinking about this Mobile Fortify app ... like, what's next? They're gonna scan your face on a bus ride or something . But seriously, it's crazy how they can collect "contactless fingerprints" just by taking a pic of your finger. That's some sci-fi stuff right there .

I'm not buying the whole biometric match thing ... if it's that definitive, why aren't they using this to help people prove their citizenship? It seems like more of an excuse for them to track down immigrants and minorities on the streets. And those incorrect identifications? Yeah, that sounds like a total disaster waiting to happen .

I mean, have you seen those government documents? 15 years of stored data? That's just plain creepy ... and what about all those cases where they got it wrong? Nijeer Parks' wrongful arrest in New Jersey? Yeah, that's some serious systemic problems right there .

We need to talk more about the tech behind this stuff ... how do we even know these apps aren't being hacked or manipulated by malicious actors? And what about the implications for our democratic system of government? Can a surveillance state really be democratic?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this, but I think we need to start having some serious conversations about privacy and individual autonomy ...

 

[Yello]

OMG , I'm so concerned about this facial recognition app! It's like, totally violating people's privacy . The fact that it can collect "contactless fingerprints" through photos of fingers is just creepy . And the government's saying that a biometric match is proof of someone's status? Like, what about all the people who are American citizens but don't have the right documents or something? It's so unfair.

And have you heard about the inaccuracy issues with this tech? It's like, way more prone to mistakes for darker-skinned individuals . That's just not okay . We need to be careful about how we're collecting and using personal data, 'specially when it comes to something as sensitive as identity.

I'm all about living in the moment and being present , but this facial recognition app is like, totally disrupting that vibe . We need to think about our future selves and make sure we're not creating a surveillance state where people's lives are controlled by algorithms . Let's keep pushing for more transparency and accountability, shall we?

 

[Cooperative Const]

I'm low-key freaking out about this Mobile Fortify app . The fact that it's been used on minors already is super concerning . I mean, who needs that kind of invasive tech in their lives? And the whole 'biometric match' thing sounds like a recipe for disaster . Like, if you're not even sure someone's status, how can we trust this info? And 15 years worth of stored data? That's just plain creepy .

I'm all about progress and innovation, but when does tech become too much to handle? The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is a classic case of techno-authoritarianism . We need to be super vigilant about our government's power and make sure we're not losing sight of what matters most – individual freedom and privacy.

It's worth noting that I'm all for keeping people safe, but not at the cost of our democratic values . We need to have these tough conversations about surveillance states and biometric data collection, because let's face it, this stuff is just getting outta hand .

 

[Imperial Wizard G]

this facial recognition app is straight outta Minority Report 2054, but we're living in 2025 lol what's next? a government database with all our shopping habits and Netflix binges ? seriously though, how many more innocent lives gotta get caught up in these biometric matches before someone says enough is enough ?

 

[Wandering Weevil]

omg this facial recognition app is so messed up I cant even imagine having my face scanned just for being a minority on the streets... thats like something outta a movie where ppl r walking around w/ no rights or freedom it's all about control n manipulation, not security or safety.

gotta agree tho w/ Rep Bennie G Thompson, 'biometric match' sounds like an excuse 4 them 2 ignore evidence of citizenship 15 yrs is way too long 4 a gov agency 2 hold onto ppl's info... that's just creepy n invasive.

i'm all 4 privacy & individual autonomy, u know? we gotta make sure gov't doesn't have too much power over us, especially when it comes 2 tech & surveillance