NYPD Cancels $750K Deal With Israeli Firm Cognite Amid Political Pressure
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
The New York Police Department has canceled a $750,000 contract with Israeli tech firm Cognite for a surveillance system following public outcry. Civil rights groups and some politicians opposed the deal, citing privacy concerns and the company's global ties. Mayor Eric Adams faced pressure from his base, leading to the cancellation. The NYPD will now seek bids through an open process, leaving the door open for future acquisition of the technology.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- NYPD canceled a $750,000 deal with Israeli firm Cognite for a surveillance system.
- Public outcry over privacy concerns and Cognite's global ties fueled the cancellation.
- Mayor Eric Adams faced pressure from his base regarding the deal.
- The NYPD will now initiate an open bidding process for the technology.
- Cognite's FalcoNet system uses AI to track cellular devices.
- The deal's cancellation is not expected to be a major financial blow to Cognite.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has canceled a $750,000 deal with the Israeli tech company Cognite for a smart cellular device tracking system. The decision came after significant public debate over the surveillance technology and Cognite's global government ties, which also placed Mayor Eric Adams' stance on the police commissioner under scrutiny. The system, known as FalcoNet, uses artificial intelligence and operates like a Stingray device, capable of connecting to nearby devices and locating them in real-time from mobile platforms, drones, or backpacks. The NYPD stated the system was intended solely for combating serious crime and locating missing persons.
However, civil rights organizations and City Council members opposed the purchase, arguing that such surveillance software would infringe on residents' privacy and turn public spaces into areas of mass monitoring. The controversy highlighted the friction between Mayor Adams, who has expressed anti-Israel sentiments, and NYPD Commissioner, who identifies as a proud Zionist. Pro-Palestinian council members criticized Adams for not fulfilling campaign promises to sever ties between the NYPD and Israel, citing joint training and representation within Israeli security forces.
Adams had previously spoken against these ties during his campaign, remarking, "When officers step on a citizen's neck, it's the IDF that ties their shoelaces." Some of Adams' supporters also criticized his decision to retain the NYPD Commissioner as commissioner. The NYPD's procurement process for the Cognite system also faced criticism for bypassing a public tender and for Cognite's alleged connections to authoritarian regimes, including a 2023 deal to sell listening technology to Myanmar before its military coup. Norway's sovereign wealth fund had previously divested from Cognite due to concerns over human rights violations.
Following public backlash and pressure from Adams' base, the NYPD called off the deal, which began in December. The department announced it would instead initiate an open competitive process, leaving the door open for potentially acquiring Cognite's technology. The financial impact on Cognite is expected to be minimal, as the company reported sales of approximately $400 million last year.
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