California’s Surveillance Secrets: The Hidden Costs of Police Tech Uncovered!

Hot Take:

**_It seems that California’s police shopping spree for surveillance tech is shrouded in so much secrecy, even James Bond would be impressed. Who knew that taxpayer money could be spent on such clandestine shopping escapades? The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is like the nosy neighbor trying to peek over the fence, but instead of a BBQ party, they’re uncovering a high-stakes game of hide and seek with technology contracts._**

Key Points:

• The EFF is suing to access unredacted contracts between Pen-Link and the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office, which are currently being withheld under the guise of “trade secrets.”
• Pen-Link provides law enforcement with surveillance tools, and its subsidiary Cobwebs Technologies offers services like location tracking and social media monitoring.
• Pen-Link’s lawsuit is a “reverse” public records lawsuit, a rare legal maneuver aiming to keep public records private for business interests.
• EFF argues that the public deserves transparency about law enforcement’s use of surveillance technology funded by taxpayers.
• The court’s decision on EFF’s motion to intervene will determine if these records become public, impacting future transparency of law enforcement purchases.

Welcome to the Surveillance Supermarket

Picture this: California police officers tiptoeing down the aisles of a digital supermarket, filling their carts with the latest surveillance gadgets, but when the cashier asks for payment, they yank out taxpayer credit cards. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) isn’t thrilled about this covert shopping spree, especially since the receipts are redacted like a top-secret spy dossier. With their new lawsuit, EFF hopes to uncover what exactly these law enforcement agencies are buying and how much they’re spending. They aim to lift the veil of secrecy that brands like Pen-Link and Cobwebs Technologies have draped over their transactions by invoking the mighty phrase “trade secrets.”

The Curious Case of Redacted Receipts

The story begins with EFF’s quest for transparency, sending out public records requests to law enforcement agencies, including the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office. But instead of a clear picture, they received 40 pages of documents that looked like a spy movie script with all the juicy parts blacked out. At the heart of the mystery is Pen-Link, a company that helps law enforcement eavesdrop after getting court approval. It turns out they’ve also acquired Cobwebs Technologies, which offers a buffet of surveillance tools capable of scraping the web and playing hide and seek with activists and journalists. To keep their secrets safe, Pen-Link is pulling out all the stops, including a lawsuit to prevent the release of these documents.

Trade Secrets or Public Disservice?

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal with keeping prices and product descriptions secret?” Well, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about transparency and the public’s right to know what their hard-earned tax dollars are funding. Pen-Link’s lawsuit is a unique twist on the public records game. Instead of opening the vault, they’re trying to lock it up tight, claiming their business secrets are at stake. EFF isn’t buying it and argues that the information should be public. If Pen-Link wins, it sets a risky precedent that allows companies to hide behind trade secrets, leaving the public in the dark about government surveillance practices.

Who Are These Mysterious Tech Vendors?

Pen-Link and Cobwebs Technologies sound like the kind of names you’d hear in a futuristic thriller. Pen-Link has been in the game for a while, known for facilitating wiretaps. Their recent acquisition, Cobwebs Technologies, takes things up a notch with their “Web Intelligence Investigation Platform.” This isn’t just some fancy name; it’s a toolkit with features like WebLoc, which serves up location data on a silver platter, and Tangles, an AI-powered web crawler. The icing on the cake? Cobwebs has been known to create fake social media accounts for undercover work, a tactic that caught the attention of social media giant Meta, leading to a swift account purge. These companies aren’t just playing small ball; they’ve signed hefty contracts with federal agencies like ICE and IRS, and state entities as well.

The Battle for Transparency Continues

As EFF waits for the court to decide on their motion to intervene, the stakes are high. A decision in their favor could pry open the floodgates, granting public access to the coveted documents and sending a clear message to law enforcement contractors: no more hiding behind the cloak of trade secrets. In today’s world, where surveillance tools grow more powerful and pervasive, the public’s right to information is crucial for informed debates and decision-making. This case isn’t just about a few contracts; it’s about setting a precedent for future transparency in government dealings with tech vendors.

EFF’s battle isn’t new, either. In 2022, they exposed Fog Data Science, a company selling mass surveillance tech to local police. The current case, with its legal gymnastics and high-tech intrigue, is just another chapter in the ongoing saga of holding technology providers accountable and ensuring that the public’s right to know isn’t overshadowed by claims of corporate secrecy. So, as we wait for the court’s ruling, one can’t help but wonder: will the EFF pull back the curtain on California’s surveillance spending, or will Pen-Link’s legal maneuvers keep the public in the dark? Stay tuned!