To the editor: What a daunting story that leaves so many unanswered questions (“Border Patrol is monitoring U.S. drivers and detaining these with ‘suspicious’ journey patterns,” Nov. 20).
Questions on who’s being pulled over: Was the system examined earlier than being made operational? Does the focusing on algorithm have built-in biases? What’s the racial composition of the individuals being surveilled? What’s the conviction price of these being surveilled?
Questions on oversight: Had been members of Congress knowledgeable of this technique? Who’s offering oversight of the system? Why was the American public not knowledgeable?
Questions on information assortment and AI: Are the databases which might be being populated with uncooked information from the license-plate readers weak to hacking? Can a given license plate present entry to different databases with extra details about the registered proprietor of that automobile? How is AI getting used to search out targets?
Questions in regards to the cash path: What corporations are concerned with the design and operation of the system? Who’s making a living on it?
The checklist of unanswered questions might go on and on. One factor is definite: As a result of the system has existed underneath each political events, each are complicit in making a surveillance state. Nevertheless, it’s particularly worrisome now that we’ve a wannabe dictator on the helm who’s hellbent on waging struggle in opposition to immigrants.
Charles Petithomme, Burbank
