A Knock on the Window and a Glimpse of America’s Surveillance Future

Mother Jones
by Jessica Le Masurier
March 4, 2026
57 views
6 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

DHS is using a new facial recognition tool, Mobile Fortify, to scan people and access databases, raising privacy concerns.

How This Affects You

Your face could be scanned and your identity checked against government databases without your consent, potentially leading to misidentification or privacy violations.

AI Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deployed Mobile Fortify, a facial recognition tool. The tool allows agents to scan individuals and access DHS databases. According to reports, Somali American Uber driver Abdikafi Abdurahman Abdullahi documented an encounter with ICE agents using the application. Abdullahi stated he experienced racial profiling and misidentification during the encounter. DHS has stated the tool supports identity verification. However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that the tool grants unchecked power, is prone to errors, and poses a threat to constitutional rights. The tool has been used over 100,000 times. DHS removed oversight policies related to the tool and is consolidating biometric data, according to the ACLU. This deployment has prompted calls for legislative action and increased scrutiny from civil liberties advocates.

What's Being Done

The Department of Homeland Security has deployed Mobile Fortify, a facial recognition tool.

Should this be getting more attention?

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