Brind.

Government use of private data tools for surveillance and enforcement

Steady: 1 in the last 7 days Updated yesterday

The latest in this situation

  1. The Trump administration is negotiating a partnership deal with Palantir involving data transfer to ICE and New Zealand.
  2. HSI is using the ELITE tool for voter fraud investigations, following the release of DHS documents by Democracy Forward.
  3. HSI used ELITE for immigration enforcement, covering voter data across multiple states.
  4. Democracy Forward released internal documents detailing how ICE utilized the ELITE tool from Palantir.

How it started

US Government Surveillance Spending Soars to Record Highs in 2026

3 reports, 3 independent, last reported Jul 24. The briefing below covers this first event.

AI-generated briefing. Brind wrote this from the reports listed below. It can be wrong. Each section says how much you can rely on it, and the sources are linked so you can check.

What happened

Well supportedReported by 3 independent outlets

Spending on technology and AI tools used for immigration surveillance by US agencies has reached a record $513 million in 2026. This amount represents a significant increase from under $50 million in 2013, with contracts doubling between 2024 and 2025. This growth is largely attributed to new contracts awarded to Palantir Technologies and Anduril.

From theguardian.com

Why it matters

Some supportBrind's analysis of the reports

The massive increase in funding has made US Immigration and Customs Enforcement the best-funded law enforcement agency in the US. Palantir Technologies has been central to ICE’s enforcement operations, having received a $30 million contract last year to build a surveillance program to track immigrant movements. The technology is used by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for mass deportation efforts.

From theguardian.com, truthout.org

Who's involved

Who could feel it

Possible knock-on effects

These are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.

  • Palantir TechnologiesSpeculative

    Palantir Technologies might see a direct revenue increase through massive new surveillance contracts with ICE and DHS.

Possible ripples

Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.

How it developed

Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.
  1. The Trump administration is negotiating a partnership deal with Palantir involving data transfer to ICE and New Zealand.Sub-event
  2. Democracy Forward released internal documents detailing how ICE utilized the ELITE tool from Palantir.Sub-event
  3. Palantir Technologies is facing accusations of supporting ICE and is involved in protests regarding AI and data center expansion.Sub-event
  4. ICE is utilizing LexisNexis and Babel Street products, alongside NCIC access, for data gathering and movement mapping.Sub-event
  5. Tech companies are providing surveillance and AI tools for ICE and DHS, funded by government spending.1 source

Keep exploring

The entities involved

Related events

Coverage

Newest first; wire copies grouped