21st Century Policing: The Rise and Reach of Surveillance Technology

Police use of emerging surveillance technology, including facial recognition software, Stingray devices (transmitters which scan and collect data from cell phones), and social media monitors, has become increasingly popular across the United States. This report presents an overview of ongoing trends in police surveillance and the funding streams that have made and continue to make these trends possible. It also highlights ongoing advocacy efforts and provides recommendations for pushing back against the use of such technology by law enforcement; one key recommendation is defunding the police and investing in community safety.