NYPD walks back contract negotiations with AI-driven cellphone surveillance company amid backlash
The department will seek competing bids after criticism that the $750,000 deal could expand warrantless cellphone tracking.
- On Tuesday, the NYPD suspended a $750,000 no-bid contract with Israeli software firm Cognyte, shifting to an open, competitive procurement process for its AI-driven surveillance system, FalcoNet.
- Human rights groups and progressive lawmakers had criticized the deal, accusing Cognyte of "doing business with governments, including Israel, that use the tech to target adversaries and opponents."
- FalcoNet operates as an AI-driven device that simulates cell towers to track mobile devices; the Legal Aid Society warned the technology "turns New Yorkers' cell phones into tracking devices."
- Mayor Mamdani faced heat over the potential contract, leading to a meeting with NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, after which the department determined the proposal "does not meet the criteria for a sole source procurement."
- The NYPD confirmed it is restarting the procurement process and accepting competing bids, though Cognyte remains eligible to participate in the new competitive bidding process for the surveillance technology.
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NYPD backs away from $750,000 Israeli surveillance deal after backlash from Mamdani a
Facing pressure from Mayor Zohran Mamdani's progressive allies, the NYPD abandons a no-bid deal for Israeli cellphone tracking technology as calls grow to oust self-described 'proud Zionist' police commissioner
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Cleveland Jewish NewsNYPD walks back negotiations with Israeli software firm
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Hanford Sentinel
NYPD walks back contract negotiations with AI-driven cellphone surveillance company amid backlash
The NYPD is backing away from a $750,000 no-bid contract with a company accused of treading on people’s civil rights for a new technology that can quickly pinpoint a suspect’s cellphone after Mayor Mamdani faced heat over the city using…
NYPD Drops No-Bid Cognyte Surveillance Contract
The NYPD says it will restart the procurement for a proposed $750,000 cellphone surveillance system and invite competing bids, rather than award the contract directly to Israeli firm Cognyte. The department said the proposed purchase did not qualify for a sole-source award; the decision leaves open the possibility that Cognyte could still win the contract through competition. The department had been negotiating since December 2025 to adopt Cogny…
NYPD reopens bidding for Israeli surveillance technology after pressure from Mamdani allies
NYPD reopens bidding for Israeli surveillance technology after pressure from Mamdani allies. The New York Police Department announced Tuesday that it will reopen the bidding process for a planned $750,000 purchase of cellphone surveillance equipment from Israeli technology company Cognyte, following criticism from allies of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the department’s proposed deal.
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