S.T.O.P. Renews Condemnation Of NYPD Robot Dog

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Renews Condemnation Of NYPD Robot Dog (NEW YORK, NY, 4/14/2021) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, renews its condemnation of the NYPD for purchasing a “robot dog.” Earlier in the day, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to “rethink” the use of the Boston Dynamics Digidog. Pushback against the robot dog has grown since it was first deployed by the NYPD last October, and calls were further amplified this week when a robot dog was videotaped being used in a Manhattan public housing complex.   SEE: Gothamist – NYPD Deploys "Creepy" New Robot Dog In Manhattan Public Housing Complex https://gothamist.com/news/nypd-deploys-alarming-robot-dog-manhattan-public-housing-complex     Youtube - Mayor Bill de Blasio Holds Media Availability https://youtu.be/KOjlbLM6Qlg   10/30/2020 release - S.T.O.P. Condemns NYPD’s Robotic Spy Dog https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2020/10/30/stop-condemns-nypds-robotic-spy-dog     “The NYPD is turning bad science fiction into real life,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “There is no reason why our city should be spending $70,000 on yet another invasive surveillance tool. This is just the latest proof that the NYPD budget needs to be cut. While I’m thrilled to see so many elected officials pushing back against Digidog, we need them to be just as vocal when it comes to facial recognition and other systems that track New Yorkers every day. These tools may not be as creepy as Digidog, but they’re far more dangerous.” Numerous elected officials expressed concerns about Digidog, including representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman. Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley also responded to this week’s reports of the new robot dog with a tweet stating “Oh hell no.”   Maya Wiley Tweet https://twitter.com/mayawiley/status/1382330566771666945   Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tweet https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1365021717144420354   Jamaal Bowman Tweet https://twitter.com/JamaalBowmanNY/status/1365029257672609793 The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   - END – CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn;   Copyright © 2019 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.