Selling Surveillance: Fact vs. AD Fiction

By Eleni Manis, Annie Dorsen, Evan Enzer, Owen May, Gabriella Papper, Derek Smith, Andy Ratto, Reagan Razon, Sophia Wright, Jimin Yoo, and Corinne Worthington

Billions in surveillance technology is sold annually with completely unsubstantiated, outlandish marketing claims.

These endemic practices frequently appear to constitute deceptive advertising, violating federal and state consumer protections.

Regulators are beginning to take action against some of the worst offenders, but many surveillance firms appear to make marketing claims with impunity.

A growing body of independent analysis documents surveillance systems’ ineffectiveness, errors, and bias.