NYPD Reverses Deal for Israeli Firm's Phone Tracking Tech Amid Rights Concerns

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has withdrawn from a $750,000 no-bid contract with Israeli company Cognyte for a system designed to rapidly locate suspects' phones. The decision followed criticism directed at Mayor Eric Adams over the planned use of the technology, which has been accused of human rights violations. The NYPD confirmed it will reopen the procurement process, allowing for competitive bids, including from Cognyte.

A police spokesperson stated on Tuesday that the initial contract did not meet the requirements for a sole-source purchase, necessitating an open and competitive bidding process. Cognyte will be eligible to submit a proposal in this new round. Sources familiar with the matter indicated the reversal came after extensive criticism of the mayor and a meeting involving Adams and NYPD Chief of Detectives Jessica Tisch.

The negotiations, first reported by the Daily News, had been ongoing since December 2025 for the AI-based mobile surveillance system, known as FalcoNet. This system functions similarly to a Stingray device, mimicking a cell tower to compel nearby phones to connect, thereby enabling police to track suspects. The plan was to install it on police vehicles.

Human rights organizations have voiced concerns that the technology could be used for surveillance not only of suspects but also of uninvolved bystanders, potentially violating the U.S. Constitution. These groups accuse Cognyte of doing business with governments, including Israel, that allegedly use the technology to monitor "opponents and dissidents." The company, which positions itself as a competitor to Palantir, has also faced restrictions on some of Meta's platforms.

The reported deal sparked online criticism, even from allies of the mayor. City Council Member Tiffany Cabán argued that the city should not fund "mass surveillance of New Yorkers," especially with technology used by governments like Israel, Myanmar, and South Sudan to track dissidents. State Senator Julia Salazar echoed these sentiments, stating that such tools do not enhance community safety and are used to suppress political opposition. City Council Member Julie Won expressed shock at the consideration of the deal, linking it to post-9/11 surveillance of Muslim New Yorkers and calling for the mayor to dismiss Tisch.

The NYPD already employs systems that mimic cell towers for tracking suspects, missing persons, and those at risk of suicide. Police sources described FalcoNet as the best available system. The department stated that if approved, the system would not be used for eavesdropping or collecting data from non-investigative phones, and such information would not be shared with other agencies. While police policy generally requires warrants for data collection during investigations, exceptions exist for emergencies like locating a missing person or preventing suicide, provided a warrant is obtained within 48 hours.