Tags: surveillance

A wave of state laws is tightening the reins on automatic license plate readers (ALPR) and AI‑enabled surveillance drones that have proliferated across the United States. Lawmakers in Illinois, California, New Hampshire and other states are imposing limits on data collection, mandating rapid deletion, prohibiting out‑of‑state sharing, and even requiring warrants before drones can be deployed. The measures target companies such as Flock Safety, Axon and Motorola, aiming to curb privacy risks while still allowing law‑enforcement use in serious investigations. Ler mais

Anthropic has begun rolling out identity verification for users of its Claude chatbot, requiring a government‑issued photo ID and a selfie in limited cases. The verification is handled by third‑party Persona, whose investors include Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund. While the company says the step targets fraudulent or abusive activity, many subscribers balk at the added biometric check, citing privacy concerns and the service’s ties to government surveillance firms. Anthropic maintains the data will be encrypted, not stored, and will never train its models. Ler mais

Legal scholar Andrew Guthrie Ferguson told Ars Technica that artificial‑intelligence tools are poised to amplify police capabilities far beyond current limits. He described a future where citywide camera networks feed a central command center that can identify and track every person, vehicle and object in real time. Ferguson said no federal rules curb this expansion, and cited recent use of mobile facial‑recognition technology by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Customs Border Patrol as a warning sign. The interview underscores growing concerns about privacy and civil liberties as law‑enforcement technology races ahead of oversight. Ler mais

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei voiced concerns about the use of artificial intelligence for mass domestic surveillance, calling it incompatible with democratic values. He also warned that fully autonomous weapon systems are not yet reliable enough for lethal targeting decisions, though he acknowledged a potential future role in national defense. Amodei’s statements highlight tensions between AI innovation, government policy, and ethical considerations, drawing criticism from some political figures who have labeled the firm as radical. Ler mais

OpenAI's head of robotics, Caitlin Kalinowski, stepped down after the company signed a defense agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Kalinowski said the rapid deal raised serious governance issues, particularly the potential for domestic surveillance without judicial oversight and the use of AI in lethal autonomous systems. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman assured that safeguards would be added, the resignation highlights growing tension between cutting‑edge AI firms and national‑security priorities. Ler mais

A clash between the U.S. Department of Defense and AI developer Anthropic over the use of the Claude model exposed a regulatory vacuum. The Pentagon sought unrestricted access for "all lawful purposes," while Anthropic drew red lines against domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. After Anthropic refused, the administration labeled the firm a supply‑chain risk, prompting a lawsuit. Experts say the episode underscores the need for clear congressional rules on AI in national security, as the military pivots to OpenAI and the broader debate over AI‑driven surveillance and weaponry intensifies. Ler mais

Anthropic has filed a lawsuit to block the Pentagon from adding the AI firm to a national‑security blocklist after the Department of Defense labeled it a supply‑chain risk. The company argues the designation violates free‑speech and due‑process rights and lacks statutory authority. The legal action follows weeks of tension with the Defense Department, which pressed Anthropic to remove safeguards against mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei refused, leading to threats of contract cancellation and a broader government push to bar the firm from federal use. OpenAI later secured a deal with the Defense Department, emphasizing similar safety principles. Ler mais

Caitlin Kalinowski, the robotics hardware lead at OpenAI, announced her resignation on X, citing the company’s rapid agreement with the Department of Defense without sufficient safeguards. She warned that surveillance of Americans and lethal autonomous weapons deserve more deliberation. OpenAI confirmed the departure, acknowledging strong public views and reiterating its red lines against domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. The resignation marks a high‑profile reaction to the Pentagon deal, which follows Anthropic’s refusal to relax similar guardrails. CEO Sam Altman said the agreement would be amended to prohibit spying on Americans. Ler mais

Caitlin Kalinowski, who led OpenAI's hardware team, announced her resignation in protest of the company's agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. She said the deal was rushed and lacked the safeguards needed to prevent domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons, emphasizing that her decision was a matter of principle. OpenAI responded by stressing that the agreement includes clear red lines against domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons and that it will continue dialogue with stakeholders. The resignation highlights ongoing tensions over AI use in national security. Ler mais

OpenAI has entered a new contract with the U.S. Department of Defense that critics say leaves room for the technology to be used in mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. The agreement follows Anthropic’s loss of a $200 million Pentagon contract after refusing such uses. While OpenAI removed a 2023 ban on military applications and signed a deal with Anduril for national‑security purposes, experts warn that current regulations lag behind AI advances, risking privacy violations for everyday citizens. Ler mais

The U.S. Department of Defense has officially labeled Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI model, as a supply‑chain risk after negotiations over the company's use restrictions collapsed. The designation bars defense contractors from using Claude in any government work and threatens to cancel contracts for firms that engage with Anthropic commercially. Anthropic’s CEO said the department’s action is legally unsound and the company will contest it in court. The dispute centers on Anthropic’s refusal to allow the Pentagon to employ Claude for autonomous lethal weapons without human oversight and for mass surveillance, raising questions about private control of government‑grade AI. Ler mais

OpenAI announced a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense that it says protects three core red lines: mass domestic surveillance, autonomous weapons, and high‑stakes automated decisions. The company stresses a multi‑layered safety approach that includes full control over its safety stack, cloud‑based deployment, cleared personnel involvement, and strong contractual protections. OpenAI contrasts its stance with Anthropic, which failed to secure a similar deal, and emphasizes that its architecture prevents direct integration of models into weapon systems or sensors. Executives acknowledge the agreement was rushed and faced criticism, but argue it helps de‑escalate tensions between the defense sector and AI labs. Ler mais

OpenAI has signed a contract with the U.S. Department of War, prompting a wave of criticism from ChatGPT users and industry observers. After Anthropic turned down a similar deal over safety concerns, OpenAI announced its agreement, claiming it includes stronger safeguards. Many users are canceling their ChatGPT subscriptions, moving to alternatives like Claude, and posting guides on how to remove their data. Critics accuse OpenAI of abandoning ethical standards, while the company insists its contract contains “red lines” to prevent misuse. The controversy has fueled a broader debate about AI safety, surveillance, and autonomous weapons. Ler mais

President Donald Trump instructed U.S. federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's Claude artificial‑intelligence system after the company refused to let the Department of Defense apply the technology for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. The president’s post on Truth Social called Anthropic a "radical left, woke company" and set a six‑month phase‑out for agencies. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said the firm could not in good conscience remove contract clauses that prohibit use of Claude in autonomous weapons or surveillance. The clash highlights growing tension between government demands and AI firms’ safety commitments. Ler mais

Anthropic is refusing new Pentagon contract conditions that would relax safeguards on its artificial‑intelligence models. The proposed terms would permit "any lawful use," including mass surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous lethal weapons. Pentagon CTO Emil Michael has suggested labeling Anthropic a "supply chain risk" if it does not comply. While rivals OpenAI and xAI have reportedly accepted the terms, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says threats do not change the company’s stance, emphasizing that it cannot in good conscience accede to the request. Ler mais

Anthropic has turned down a Pentagon request for unrestricted use of its AI models, citing concerns over mass surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous lethal weapons. The company’s CEO, Dario Amodei, emphasized a commitment to democratic values and offered to transition the military to alternative providers if required. The standoff follows a broader push by the Department of Defense to renegotiate AI contracts with multiple vendors, with some firms reportedly agreeing to the new terms while Anthropic remains firm on its red lines. Ler mais

A dispute has erupted between the Pentagon and AI firm Anthropic after the defense department asked its contractors to allow unrestricted use of their models for all lawful purposes. Anthropic warned that its Claude models could be applied to fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance, prompting the Pentagon to consider terminating its $200 million contract. The standoff reflects broader concerns among security experts and policymakers about the ethical limits of AI in military operations. Ler mais

The Pentagon is urging AI firms to permit the U.S. military to employ their technologies for all lawful purposes, but Anthropic has emerged as the most resistant. The department is reportedly threatening to end its $200 million contract with the company amid disagreements about how Claude models are used, including a reported deployment in an operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While other firms have shown flexibility, Anthropic focuses on hard limits around fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. Ler mais

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a new AI‑first device, describing its use as "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake" that offers calm amid the clutter of phones and apps. While the vision emphasizes serenity, critics argue the device’s context‑aware capabilities require continuous monitoring of a user’s location, speech, habits and moods, effectively turning it into an all‑encompassing observer. The debate centers on the trade‑off between convenience and privacy, with concerns that the promised peace may mask pervasive data collection and potential misuse of personal information. Ler mais

Apps such as Cheaterbuster and CheatEye allow users to upload a name or a photo and, using facial‑recognition technology and public data, locate a person's dating profile on services like Tinder. The services charge a fee per search and have been shown to locate profiles accurately in tests. Privacy experts warn that the practice violates user consent, may be inaccurate, and raises concerns about bias and data protection laws such as GDPR. Tinder has not commented, and lawmakers are being urged to address the growing surveillance trend. Ler mais