Summary
A facial recognition app called Mobile Identify, used for identifying illegal immigrants, was recently removed from the Google Play Store. The app, developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under President Trump's administration, allowed law enforcement to access facial recognition databases. It is unclear if the app will return to the store.
Key Facts
- The Mobile Identify app was launched by CBP a few weeks ago.
- The app is no longer available on the Google Play Store as of Friday.
- The app allowed police to identify individuals using facial recognition linked to databases managed by CBP and ICE.
- There were reports that some identified individuals were U.S. citizens.
- Google said the app required official government credentials to use.
- The app supported local law enforcement's role in federal immigration control by instructing officers to contact ICE if they identified someone.
- Mobile Identify is a simpler version of another app, called Mobile Fortify, used by federal agents.
- Concerns were raised about other apps tracking ICE activity, which some believe could endanger federal agents.
