Texas police expand surveillance tech to combat domestic terrorism

In June, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) initiated a five-year contract worth nearly $5.3 million for a surveillance tool named Tangles, developed by PenLink. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to enhance surveillance capabilities aimed at preventing domestic terrorism. The software has been previously utilized in border enforcement efforts under Governor Abbott's administration. The DPS has been using Tangles since 2021, with local law enforcement agencies also adopting the technology. The Tangles software raises significant privacy concerns, as it allows access to sensitive data, including mobile ad IDs, which can be used to track individuals' locations. Critics argue that the data obtained through this method is invasive and can lead to the creation of detailed profiles without proper oversight. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Carpenter v. United States mandates that police obtain warrants for cell phone location data from service providers, yet companies selling location data through data brokers claim that mobile ad IDs are anonymous. Despite the claims of effectiveness in combating crime, experts have pointed out that there is little evidence to support the assertion that such surveillance tools significantly aid investigations. The use of these technologies has been criticized as a form of surveillance-for-hire, raising ethical questions about the implications for civil liberties and privacy rights. As the DPS expands its surveillance capabilities, the legal frameworks surrounding data privacy and law enforcement practices remain inadequate, leaving many concerns unaddressed. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between security measures and the protection of individual rights in the digital age.