"Asked by investors about his biggest worries, CEO Rick Smith said: A misstep around privacy and data handling. Without elaborating on specific examples, he said: We are seeing that those are concerns right now out in the public. I think that would be one where we could make a mistake that would have outsized negative consequences."
"Data privacy experts fear that body-camera footage in the hands of the DHS will only be used to further surveil immigrants and protesters rather than ensure accountability for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal agents. The expanded use of body cameras will make every agent who wears a body camera a surveillance tool."
"What's more, law enforcement agencies are often selective about what video they release, and with DHS, in particular, we've been seeing that they aggressively release propaganda videos, he says."
Axon, the dominant body-camera manufacturer in the US, announced record financial results with $797 million in revenue, a 39% year-over-year increase. The company attributes growth to its AI-era offerings, including voice-activated camera companions. Executives highlighted significant opportunities with the Department of Homeland Security for body cameras and software licenses. CEO Rick Smith identified privacy and data handling as major concerns. Data privacy experts and civil rights advocates worry that expanded DHS body-camera use will enable surveillance of immigrants and protesters rather than ensure accountability for federal agents. Law enforcement agencies selectively release footage, with DHS known for distributing propaganda videos. Axon's market dominance has faced legal challenges, including a 2023 monopoly lawsuit from three cities.
#body-cameras #surveillance #data-privacy #department-of-homeland-security #law-enforcement-accountability
Read at www.theguardian.com
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