US Government's Use of AI for Surveillance Raises Human Rights Concerns

US Government's AI Surveillance Tactics

Amnesty International has accused the US government of employing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor immigrants and target non-citizens participating in pro-Palestinian protests. The human rights organization's report, based on a review of public records including Department of Homeland Security documents, reveals the use of AI software from companies like Palantir and Babel Street for mass surveillance and assessment of individuals 1

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AI Tools and Their Applications

Source: France 24

The US authorities are reportedly using two main AI tools:

1. Babel X: Developed by Babel Street, this tool has been in use by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) since at least 2019. It can collect vast amounts of personal data 2

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2. Immigration OS: Created by Palantir, this is an updated version of the Integrated Case Management system used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since 2014. It streamlines the process of selecting and apprehending individuals and monitoring self-deportation in real-time 2

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The 'Seize and Revoke' Initiative

A key focus of the report is the State Department's 'Seize and Revoke' initiative. This program utilizes AI for:

• Social media monitoring
• Visa status tracking
• Automated threat assessments of visa holders, including foreign students

The initiative aims to identify "foreign nationals who appear to support Hamas or other recognized terrorist groups" and cancel their visas 2

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Human Rights Concerns

Amnesty International has raised several concerns about the use of these AI tools:

1. Mass Deportations: The organization argues that these technologies have led to a pattern of unlawful detentions and mass deportations 1

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2. Chilling Effect: The surveillance has created a climate of fear among migrant communities and international students across schools and campuses 1

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3. Violation of Rights: Amnesty International asserts that these actions violate the right to equality, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly 2

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Political Context

The report comes amid a charged political atmosphere in the United States:

• President Trump has targeted top US universities over claims of political bias towards "woke" politics and alleged antisemitic policies.
• The administration has characterized widespread campus protests calling for an end to Israel's war in Gaza as "antisemitic."
• There have been moves to expel foreign students and professors who participated in these protests 1

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Responses and Recommendations

Amnesty International has called on Palantir and Babel Street to demonstrate how they can use their leverage as suppliers to improve the human rights consequences of their clients' policies. Failing this, the organization recommends that these companies immediately cease their work with the US administration related to immigration enforcement 1

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In response to the report, Palantir denied that its product was used to advance the government's 'Seize and Revoke' initiative and asserted that they do not violate the rights of migrants 2

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