S.T.O.P. Releases Review Of 1/6 Guilty Pleas, Disproves Need For Expanded Surveillance

View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Releases Review Of 1/6 Guilty Pleas, Disproves Need For Expanded Surveillance The review of the 146 guilty pleas from January 6th insurrectionists shows that defendants were identified primarily with anonymous tips, rebutting calls for expanded facial recognition and other surveillance technologies. (NEW YORK, NY, 1/6/2022) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, releases a review of guilty pleas stemming from the January 6th, 2021 insurrection, finding that the Department of Justice’s data disproves any need for expanded use of facial recognition or other surveillance. In its review of the 146 guilty pleas from those charged in connection with last year’s attack, the group found that only 4 used facial recognition. In contrast, the vast majority of cases used low-tech and less-invasive techniques, with 104 cases using tips from the public. SEE: S.T.O.P. – January 6th: A Surveillance Review https://www.stopspying.org/jan6 U.S. Department of Justice – Capitol Breach Cases https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/capitol-breach-cases “After the attack, we were told that more surveillance was the solution, but today we know that was wrong,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “A year later, we see that the vast majority of attackers could be identified with nothing more high-tech than a tip line and wanted poster. Technology like facial recognition isn’t just an assault on our constitution, it’s a distraction from techniques that actually keep us safe. Those who urged expanded surveillance in the aftermath of this attack must reconsider their positions in light of the data.” Last June, S.T.O.P. condemned federal law enforcement’s use of facial recognition to target Black Lives Matter protesters, noting that it was used more to target BLM protesters than the January 6th insurrectionists. In the immediate aftermath of the insurrection, the group warned that the attack would be used as a justification to expand surveillance that was not needed to find those who stormed the Capitol. SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns G.A.O. Facial Recognition Findings, Calls For Ban https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/6/30/stop-condemns-gao-facial-recognition-findings-calls-for-ban Cahn continued, “It’s urgent to hold those who stormed the Capitol accountable, but we can’t let this assault on democracy justify technologies that endanger democracy itself. We know from history that the technologies we justify in the name of combatting right-wing extremists will inevitably be turned on the same Black and brown communities our police always target.” Wired – The Capitol Attack Doesn’t Justify Expanding Surveillance https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-capitol-attack-doesnt-justify-expanding-surveillance/ ABC News - From facial recognition to dating apps, technology is helping investigators track down Capitol rioters https://abcnews.go.com/US/facial-recognition-dating-apps-technology-helping-investigators-track/story?id=78196937  The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. 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 © 2021 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.