NYPD Eyes AI Cell Tracker That Could Spy on Anyone

NYPD is talking about a new AI tool that works like a roaming cell tower. The system, named FalcoNet, can be put on a police car, a drone, or even hidden in a bag. It is built by an Israeli company called Cognyte. The department wants a three‑year deal worth about $750,000.

People who watch civil rights say this could let police follow anyone on the street. They worry it might watch innocent New Yorkers. The gadget grabs each phone’s ID and can link it to a person. Human rights groups say the maker also sells similar tools to governments that silence critics. They fear the AI can study behavior without anyone knowing.

The police already use similar devices to find missing kids or people in danger. In February, they used the tech to locate a 15‑year‑old girl who was taken from a home. If the contract goes through, only four special officers will run the system. They will use laptops on a private network. The rules say a warrant is needed for normal checks, but in emergencies they can act first and get a warrant within two days.

A lawyer for Legal Aid says the worries are real. He notes the department used the old tech more than a thousand times without a clear policy or a warrant. NYPD says they will not listen to calls or grab messages from phones that aren’t part of a case. They also promise not to give the data to other agencies. Still, the public should ask if this extra power is worth the privacy risk.