Austin’s Big Secret: How Big Tech and Surveillance Are Increasing Policing

This brief examines the relationship between tech companies, city projects, and increases in policing and surveillance of Austin residents. It begins by analyzing local policing initiatives like the Austin Regional Intelligence Center and noting contracts held by local law enforcement agencies with tech companies. This report also discusses the collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and how tech companies bolster this collaboration, leading to deportations and further erosion of Austin’s Black, Latinx, and immigrant residents. Ultimately, this report concludes with policy recommendations for the city of Austin; in particular, it calls for the city to reduce the budget of the Austin Police Department (APD) by 50% this year and disband APD in four years.