CBP Signs Clearview AI Deal to Use Face Recognition for 'Tactical Targeting'
wired.com
February 13, 2026
3 min read
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61/100
Summary
United States Customs and Border Protection has signed a $225,000 deal for one year of access to Clearview AI, a face recognition tool that compares photos against billions of internet-sourced images. This access will be provided to the Border Patrol’s intelligence division and the National Targeting Center to enhance their data collection and analysis efforts.
Key Takeaways
- United States Customs and Border Protection has signed a $225,000 contract with Clearview AI to access its face recognition technology for tactical targeting and strategic counter-network analysis.
- Clearview AI provides access to over 60 billion publicly available images, which will be integrated into the daily intelligence work of CBP's Border Patrol units.
- The contract raises concerns regarding the potential use of face recognition technology on US citizens and the handling of sensitive personal data without clear limits or transparency.
- Recent testing by the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicated that face-search systems, including Clearview AI, perform poorly with images not originally intended for automated recognition, showing error rates exceeding 20%.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- AI-assisted law enforcement can serve as a significant force multiplier, enabling more effective application of the law and addressing previously unmanageable issues.
Concerns
- There are serious concerns about the potential for abuse of facial recognition technology by the government, highlighting the need for strict regulations and oversight.
- The push for anonymity rights raises fundamental questions about the balance between privacy and law enforcement capabilities in the age of AI.
