Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the growing surveillance in the city, with the MTA's communications director stating that the system is used as a counting tool to determine the number of fare evaders and how they are doing it. Critics argue that the focus on fare evasion enforcement often targets the poor and contributes to the criminalization of fare evasion. The MTA made two purchases in 2021 for the software, totaling $35,335, but figures for 2022 were not available.
Key takeaways:
- Surveillance software using AI to detect fare evasion has been deployed in some New York City subway stations, with plans to expand to more stations by the end of the year.
- The system, which has not been previously acknowledged by the city or its transit authority, was in use in seven subway stations in May, according to a report by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
- The software was created by Spanish company AWAAIT and does not currently flag fare evaders to New York police, although it's unclear if this policy could change in the future.
- Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the growing surveillance apparatus in New York City, and some argue that the focus on fare evasion is a misguided priority that disproportionately targets low-income individuals and people of color.