LAPD Is Using Israeli Surveillance

LAPD Is Using Israeli Surveillance Software That Can Track Your Phone and Social Media

[{"selector":"#anim-9d2528cd-9ac4-45ce-8898-579789be6cdb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.80829822022978%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The software, built by Cobwebs Technologies, uses AI to track, surveil, and create profiles of people based on online and phone data.

[{"selector":"#anim-10644cd2-d1dc-419a-b14e-3322fcbf6b41 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.311074805163102%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] LAPD has bolstered its online surveillance operations by adding another piece of technology to its roster.

[{"selector":"#anim-e93ce7f1-a817-4f5d-8137-78d7917ea5f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] LAPD’s newest surveillance partner, Cobwebs Technologies, gathers data from your phone and social media activity and turns it into intelligence.

[{"selector":"#anim-31799b1b-e195-469f-95c4-bc6c9e49a6d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0, 7.760782355151471e-15%, 0)","translate3d(0, 0%, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Israeli company’s surveillance software, which outsources much of their surveillance work to AI and machine learning, gives police warrantless access to your personal information.

[{"selector":"#anim-372761a6-6c7e-446b-afdc-7fe22d8a57d6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.319962573217424%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Cobwebs Technologies was founded in 2015 by former IDF special operatives Omri Timianker, Shay Attias, and former Mossad official Udi Levy.

[{"selector":"#anim-1266f825-d89e-4f05-a98f-b00792b0cc3a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The company is part of the controversial billion-dollar surveillance industry in Israel, where the technology is often tested on Palestinians before being implemented elsewhere in the world.

[{"selector":"#anim-1c15a9d7-e56b-4679-aed2-beb048ea6bb3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] During a 2014 trip to Israel, LAPD’s top brass saw firsthand how Israel used drones, social media surveillance software, and automatic license plate readers.

[{"selector":"#anim-47e11cb3-8dca-46c9-aba1-fd4e82385d05 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Within five years of the trip, the department would be using all three.

[{"selector":"#anim-cd4d1c14-8e5b-4947-89c7-837fc01d8d02 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] This year, Cobwebs was acquired by private equity firm Spire Capital, which owns the surveillance companies GeoTime and PenLink.