S.T.O.P. Condemns ShotSpotter Renaming As ‘Unsound’

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns ShotSpotter Renaming As ‘Unsound’ (New York, NY 4/10/23) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, condemns ShotSpotter’s renaming to “SoundThinking,” calling the company’s technology “unsound.” The new name comes a week after ShotSpotter’s stock lost a third of its value, following speculation Chicago’s newly elected mayor would end the city’s contract with the controversial gunshot detection firm. SEE: SoundThinking Press Release – ShotSpotter changes corporate name to SoundThinking and launches SafetySmart platform for safer neighborhoods https://www.soundthinking.com/press-releases/shotspotter-changes-corporate-name-to-soundthinking-and-launches-safetysmart-platform-for-safer-neighborhoods/ SeekingAlpha - ShotSpotter tumbles for a second day amid downgrade on Chicago contract fears https://seekingalpha.com/news/3955050-shotspotter-tumbles-for-a-second-say-amid-downgrade-on-chicago-contract-fears “This technology is unsound under any name,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “ShotSpotter was repeatedly found to be error prone, and any time officers are falsely told there is an active shooting, it creates a deadly risk. Rather than trying to run away from bad PR, the company should stop selling technology that threatens the public.” In December, S.T.O.P. condemned ShotSpotter’s violation of the company’s privacy policy, secretly disclosing to the NYPD where the company’s gunshot detection sensors are located. Last summer, S.T.O.P. released ShotSpotter and the Misfires of Gunshot Detection Technology, a report detailing how ShotSpotter’s error-prone software targets Black and Latinx neighborhoods, increasing the risk of police violence, and leaves levels of gun crime largely unchanged.   SEE: Press Release – S.T.O.P. Condemns ShotSpotter Breach Of Privacy Policy https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2022/12/16/stop-condemns-shotspotter-breach-of-privacy-policy S.T.O.P. Report – ShotSpotter and the Misfires of Gunshot Detection Technology https://www.stopspying.org/shotspotter 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.