By Gretta L. Goodwin

Technologies such as automated license plate readers and drones can support federal law enforcement activities. However, the use of these technologies in public spaces—where a warrant is not necessarily required prior to use—has led to concerns about how law enforcement is protecting civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy. GAO was asked to review federal law enforcement’s use of detection, observation, and monitoring technologies. This report examines 1) the use of these technologies in public spaces without a warrant by selected DHS law enforcement agencies and 2) the extent to which the agencies have policies to assess the use of technologies for bias and protect privacy. GAO selected CBP, ICE, and the Secret Service within DHS based on various factors, including the large number of law enforcement officers in these agencies. GAO administered a structured questionnaire and reviewed documents, such as technology policies. GAO also interviewed agency officials. What GAO Recommends GAO is making five recommendations including that DHS develop policies and procedures to assess the risks of bias and ensure CBP, ICE and Secret Service implement privacy protections through technology policies. DHS concurred, but ICE and Secret Service described actions they have taken that do not address the recommendations, as discussed.

Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2024. 54p.