The Flaws in Implementing Evolv’s Scanning Technology in New York City

The connections between former NYPD members and Evolv, a technology company providing scanning devices, raise concerns about potential biases. The fact that a significant portion of Evolv’s sales team consists of former police officers, coupled with David Cohen, a former NYPD deputy commissioner, being part of Evolv’s Security Advisory Board, calls into question the objectivity of the technology’s implementation.

Experts in civil rights and technology have expressed skepticism about the efficacy of Evolv’s scanners in subway stations. Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, has criticized the technology as inadequate for a complex environment like the NYC subway system. The sheer scale of the subway with over 450 stations presents a logistical challenge that may render Evolv’s scanners impractical.

The draft policy released by the NYPD regarding the use of weapons-detection technology like Evolv’s scanners in the subway lacks specificity and heavily relies on police officers for implementation. The vague guidelines about the frequency of passenger inspections and the role of police personnel in the process raise concerns about the potential for intrusive and time-consuming searches on a daily basis.

Evolv’s scanning technology has faced criticism for its failures in school environments, where weapons and guns have gone undetected on multiple occasions. Internal emails from a school district using Evolv’s scanners revealed instances where everyday items were mistaken for potential threats. This raises doubts about the accuracy and reliability of the technology, especially in high-traffic areas like the NYC subway.

The proposal to introduce Evolv’s scanning technology in New York City’s subway system is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. From questionable connections to the NYPD to doubts about the technology’s effectiveness and past failures in school settings, there are significant red flags that need to be addressed before proceeding with large-scale implementation. It is crucial for city officials to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of adopting Evolv’s scanners to ensure the safety and privacy of millions of daily subway riders.