Mobile Fortify Faces Criticism for Privacy Erosion in Biometric Collection
Wired
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The Mobile Fortify app, launched by the Department of Homeland Security in 2025, has faced significant criticism for its unreliable identity verification capabilities, as detailed in WIRED's investigation. Intended to facilitate federal immigration operations, the app's ineffectiveness raises serious concerns about privacy, particularly because it has been used to identify U.S. citizens and bystanders without consent. The development bypassed essential privacy assessments, suggesting a troubling trend toward increased biometric data collection in law enforcement activities that lacks transparency and accountability. These issues underscore the need for healthcare professionals and technologists to remain vigilant about the ethical implications of emerging surveillance technologies and their potential impact on civil liberties.
