NYPD Eyes Israeli Mobile Phone Surveillance System FalcoNet
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The New York Police Department is negotiating to purchase the Israeli-developed FalcoNet mobile phone surveillance system from Cognyte for $750,500 over three years. The system can detect phones, identify them, and track their location, with potential use on vehicles, drones, or in backpacks. Civil liberties groups have expressed concerns about potential misuse, while the NYPD asserts its use will be regulated and will not involve intercepting communications. The deal is moving forward despite Mayor Zohran Mamdani's critical stance on Israel, with his administration currently reviewing the contract.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- NYPD is negotiating to buy the Israeli FalcoNet mobile phone surveillance system from Cognyte.
- The three-year contract for the system is valued at $750,500.
- FalcoNet can detect nearby phones, get their IDs, and determine their location.
- The system can be deployed on vehicles, drones, or in backpacks.
- Civil liberties groups fear the technology could track ordinary citizens.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration is reviewing the proposed contract.
The New York Police Department is in negotiations to acquire FalcoNet, a mobile phone surveillance system developed by the Israeli company Cognyte. The three-year contract is valued at $750,500, according to the New York Daily News. FalcoNet functions by mimicking a cellular base station to detect nearby phones, obtain their unique identifiers, and determine their location. The equipment can be mounted on police vehicles, drones, or carried in a backpack for covert operations. The city of New York's official notification indicates the police intend to award the contract to Cognyte without a competitive bidding process, citing the company as the sole provider of the necessary hardware and software. This system is intended for the police's technical unit, which handles special operations. The potential deal has raised concerns among civil liberties groups, who fear the technology could be used to track not only suspects but also ordinary citizens who happen to be nearby. The police maintain that the use of such systems is governed by established procedures and does not involve intercepting the content of phone calls or messages from unrelated individuals. The transaction is proceeding despite critical views of Israel held by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In response to media inquiries, the mayor's administration stated they are reviewing the proposed contract, and a final approval has not yet been made.
