NYPD Pursues $750K Deal With Israeli Surveillance Firm Amid Mayor's Criticism
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
New York City's police department is pursuing a $750,000 contract with Israeli intelligence firm Cognyte for a mobile phone tracking system. The FalcoNet system can impersonate cell towers to locate devices and is deployable on vehicles or drones. The deal is proceeding without competitive bidding, and the Mayor's office is currently reviewing the proposed contract.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- NYPD seeks a $750,000 contract with Israeli firm Cognyte for advanced surveillance tech.
- The FalcoNet system can impersonate cell towers to track mobile phones.
- The technology can be mounted on vehicles, drones, or hidden in backpacks.
- The proposed three-year contract bypasses competitive bidding.
- Mayor Zahran Mamdani's office is reviewing the proposed deal.
New York City's police department is moving forward with a deal worth approximately $750,000 with the Israeli intelligence company Cognyte, despite anti-Israel stances previously expressed by Mayor Zahran Mamdani. The NYPD aims to acquire an advanced surveillance system called FalcoNet, which can impersonate a cell tower to locate and track mobile phones. The system is designed for deployment on patrol cars, drones, or even concealed in a backpack. The proposed three-year contract is being advanced without a competitive bidding process. A spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani stated that his office is "examining the proposed contract."
