Jake Laperruque
@jakelaperruque.bsky.social
Center for Democracy & Technology Deputy Director on Surveillance, privacy and 4th Amendment expert
Focused on tech, privacy, and surveillance: AI, FISA, facial recognition, location tracking, drones (Also cooking, movies, and baseball)
Focused on tech, privacy, and surveillance: AI, FISA, facial recognition, location tracking, drones (Also cooking, movies, and baseball)
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
This important story, which details the dangers of ICE and CBP’s face-recognition app, is available to read for free, thanks to @wired.com's initiative in partnership with @freedom.press to unpaywall FOIA-based reporting.
Other outlets should follow suit.
Other outlets should follow suit.
ICE and CBP’s Face-Recognition App Can’t Actually Verify Who People Are
ICE has used Mobile Fortify to identify immigrants and citizens alike over 100,000 times, by one estimate. It wasn't built to work like that—and only got approved after DHS abandoned its own privacy r...
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:21 PM
This important story, which details the dangers of ICE and CBP’s face-recognition app, is available to read for free, thanks to @wired.com's initiative in partnership with @freedom.press to unpaywall FOIA-based reporting.
Other outlets should follow suit.
Other outlets should follow suit.
The key point I would tack on to this: ICE's facial recognition system isn't designed for how ICE is using it in the field because that's not how *any* facial recognition system is designed to be used
Experts, privacy advocates, even police all view this type of use as irresponsible:
Experts, privacy advocates, even police all view this type of use as irresponsible:
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 PM
The key point I would tack on to this: ICE's facial recognition system isn't designed for how ICE is using it in the field because that's not how *any* facial recognition system is designed to be used
Experts, privacy advocates, even police all view this type of use as irresponsible:
Experts, privacy advocates, even police all view this type of use as irresponsible:
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Mobile Fortify, the facial recognition tool ICE claims offers definitive proof of legal status, isn’t even designed for what it’s being used for, and was rolled out after a Project 2025 guy dismantled DHS’s centralized privacy assessments
ICE and CBP’s Face-Recognition App Can’t Actually Verify Who People Are
ICE has used Mobile Fortify to identify immigrants and citizens alike over 100,000 times, by one estimate. It wasn't built to work like that—and only got approved after DHS abandoned its own privacy r...
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Mobile Fortify, the facial recognition tool ICE claims offers definitive proof of legal status, isn’t even designed for what it’s being used for, and was rolled out after a Project 2025 guy dismantled DHS’s centralized privacy assessments
Alarming new details about ICE facial recognition:
-DHS secretly rolled back its rules on the tech (which forbid current uses)
-No gallery of potential matches or confidence threshold ratings (standard practices for the tech)
-Agents told to prioritize it over fingerprint (which is more reliable)
-DHS secretly rolled back its rules on the tech (which forbid current uses)
-No gallery of potential matches or confidence threshold ratings (standard practices for the tech)
-Agents told to prioritize it over fingerprint (which is more reliable)
NEW: Records reviewed by WIRED show DHS’s facial recognition app (Mobile Fortify) isn’t designed to actually "verify" identity—despite DHS claims and its agents relying on its matches to support probable cause in the field.
ICE and CBP’s Face-Recognition App Can’t Actually Verify Who People Are
ICE has used Mobile Fortify to identify immigrants and citizens alike over 100,000 times, by one estimate. It wasn't built to work like that—and only got approved after DHS abandoned its own privacy r...
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Alarming new details about ICE facial recognition:
-DHS secretly rolled back its rules on the tech (which forbid current uses)
-No gallery of potential matches or confidence threshold ratings (standard practices for the tech)
-Agents told to prioritize it over fingerprint (which is more reliable)
-DHS secretly rolled back its rules on the tech (which forbid current uses)
-No gallery of potential matches or confidence threshold ratings (standard practices for the tech)
-Agents told to prioritize it over fingerprint (which is more reliable)
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Ron Wyden Only Talks Like This When The Spies Do Something *Real* Bad
No, I don't know what they did. But I have a lot of experience with the senator
www.forever-wars.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
The White House may have "heightened Democratic lawmakers’ unease about how surveillance authorities could be used in practice"
A great breakdown of the complex situation for FISA 702 as the clock ticks down to its expiration from @ddimolfetta.bsky.social
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
A great breakdown of the complex situation for FISA 702 as the clock ticks down to its expiration from @ddimolfetta.bsky.social
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Domestic surveillance fears loom over Congress debate to renew spying power
Lawmakers’ concerns about immigration enforcement and Fourth Amendment compliance are weighing on the reauthorization fight for Section 702 of FISA, even as the FBI privately warns against letting the...
www.nextgov.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The White House may have "heightened Democratic lawmakers’ unease about how surveillance authorities could be used in practice"
A great breakdown of the complex situation for FISA 702 as the clock ticks down to its expiration from @ddimolfetta.bsky.social
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
A great breakdown of the complex situation for FISA 702 as the clock ticks down to its expiration from @ddimolfetta.bsky.social
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Proud to play a role in helping get this together for @justsecurity.org. It provides you with details from the sworn declarations filed in support of the ACLU's lawsuit in Minnesota, Hussen v. Noem. The details of abuses by federal agents across the 29 declarations we looked at are chilling.
Minnesota ICE Enforcement: Alleged Constitutional Violations
The ACLU and partners sued over alleged racial profiling and unlawful arrests in Minnesota. Read sworn declarations and case details.
www.justsecurity.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Proud to play a role in helping get this together for @justsecurity.org. It provides you with details from the sworn declarations filed in support of the ACLU's lawsuit in Minnesota, Hussen v. Noem. The details of abuses by federal agents across the 29 declarations we looked at are chilling.
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
As far as I know, this is DHS's first effort to explain their position that I-205 forms allow entry into the home. They rely on the dicta in the 1960 Abel case (before Payton) and re-imagine the plurality opinion in Lucas as if it were the majority (and then overrely on it).
February 5, 2026 at 7:56 AM
As far as I know, this is DHS's first effort to explain their position that I-205 forms allow entry into the home. They rely on the dicta in the 1960 Abel case (before Payton) and re-imagine the plurality opinion in Lucas as if it were the majority (and then overrely on it).
Important piece. The key context for the administrative warrants ICE is using is that they come from “immigration judges” - these are not real judges, they’re DOJ employees who can be fired for not rubber stamping orders
Not only have House Republicans decided that the Fourth Amendment is optional, even Republicans understand that its protection of innocent targets is more important than punishing the guilty. www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
Opinion | Republicans could really use a lesson on the Fourth Amendment
Philip Bump: Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., declared judicial warrants for ICE to be a “non-starter.” That’s a sign of the times for the GOP in the Trump era.
www.ms.now
February 5, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Important piece. The key context for the administrative warrants ICE is using is that they come from “immigration judges” - these are not real judges, they’re DOJ employees who can be fired for not rubber stamping orders
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @brennancenter.org's @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's @sheeraf.bsky.social about how the facial-recognition tools used by federal immigration agencies work and what they mean for enforcement and civil liberties.
❓What are your Qs about this tech?
📻Listen:
We're talking to @brennancenter.org's @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's @sheeraf.bsky.social about how the facial-recognition tools used by federal immigration agencies work and what they mean for enforcement and civil liberties.
❓What are your Qs about this tech?
📻Listen:
Federal Agents Deploy High Tech to Track Protesters | KQED
We talk to experts about how federal surveillance technologies work and what they mean for enforcement and civil liberties.
www.kqed.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @brennancenter.org's @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's @sheeraf.bsky.social about how the facial-recognition tools used by federal immigration agencies work and what they mean for enforcement and civil liberties.
❓What are your Qs about this tech?
📻Listen:
We're talking to @brennancenter.org's @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's @sheeraf.bsky.social about how the facial-recognition tools used by federal immigration agencies work and what they mean for enforcement and civil liberties.
❓What are your Qs about this tech?
📻Listen:
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
I expected the cuts would be bad but I'm honestly stunned and sickened seeing how many great journalists the Washington Post just lost. People who nailed huge investigations, documented war zones, exposed horrific crimes, dropped all at once for failures they did not cause.
February 4, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I expected the cuts would be bad but I'm honestly stunned and sickened seeing how many great journalists the Washington Post just lost. People who nailed huge investigations, documented war zones, exposed horrific crimes, dropped all at once for failures they did not cause.
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
WaPo laid off one of the journalists who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
February 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM
WaPo laid off one of the journalists who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
We at the @postguild.bsky.social are raising money for the hundreds of journalists the Post just laid off. This goes to the people who are hurting, not the Post. Or if you'd rather, go subscribe to an independent journalist. Support is hugely appreciated.
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We at the @postguild.bsky.social are raising money for the hundreds of journalists the Post just laid off. This goes to the people who are hurting, not the Post. Or if you'd rather, go subscribe to an independent journalist. Support is hugely appreciated.
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Joseph is an incredible reporter on tech and privacy issues. A huge loss for WaPo and its readers. Hopefully he'll be with another outlet soon as we'll get to continue to benefit from his great reporting soon
Most of the Washington Post’s tech reporters were laid off today, including me. I have loved my time at the paper, which is where I wanted to work from age 15. I take some consolation in not being among the survivors who will have to work harder with less for fewer readers. On to better things.
February 4, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Joseph is an incredible reporter on tech and privacy issues. A huge loss for WaPo and its readers. Hopefully he'll be with another outlet soon as we'll get to continue to benefit from his great reporting soon
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Read this:
A knock on the door to intimidate.
A requests to Google for personal data.
Government surveillance for mild criticism.
Misuse of legal process.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
A knock on the door to intimidate.
A requests to Google for personal data.
Government surveillance for mild criticism.
Misuse of legal process.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Read this:
A knock on the door to intimidate.
A requests to Google for personal data.
Government surveillance for mild criticism.
Misuse of legal process.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
A knock on the door to intimidate.
A requests to Google for personal data.
Government surveillance for mild criticism.
Misuse of legal process.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
I have confirmed the gist of this report out of federal court in Minnesota today from a source familiar.
If you have more information about the District of Minnesota—either the court or the U.S. Attorney's Office—and how they are handling all of this, please reach out. I am at crg.32 on Signal.
If you have more information about the District of Minnesota—either the court or the U.S. Attorney's Office—and how they are handling all of this, please reach out. I am at crg.32 on Signal.
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
I have confirmed the gist of this report out of federal court in Minnesota today from a source familiar.
If you have more information about the District of Minnesota—either the court or the U.S. Attorney's Office—and how they are handling all of this, please reach out. I am at crg.32 on Signal.
If you have more information about the District of Minnesota—either the court or the U.S. Attorney's Office—and how they are handling all of this, please reach out. I am at crg.32 on Signal.
What's key thing to understand here is immigration judges are not real "judges" in the most basic ways Americans expect. They are not independent, they're DOJ employees. If they don't give ICE what it wants, the AG can just fire them.
There is no judicial process or warrant here.
There is no judicial process or warrant here.
Q: You're a constitutional lawyer. Can you detail the 4th Amendment protections someone has if ICE approaches their home w/an administrative warrant?
MIKE JOHNSON: When ICE goes to execute a warrant, it's issued by an immigration judge, & that is a sufficient legal authority to go apprehend someone
MIKE JOHNSON: When ICE goes to execute a warrant, it's issued by an immigration judge, & that is a sufficient legal authority to go apprehend someone
February 3, 2026 at 6:24 PM
What's key thing to understand here is immigration judges are not real "judges" in the most basic ways Americans expect. They are not independent, they're DOJ employees. If they don't give ICE what it wants, the AG can just fire them.
There is no judicial process or warrant here.
There is no judicial process or warrant here.
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
In the clip, Speaker Johnson asks what if ICE is running after a person and the person retreats into a home—people shouldn't be allowed to block ICE that way, he says. But the warrant requirement doesn't even apply in those circumstances, see U.S. v. Santana, 427 U.S. 38, 42-3 (1976).
February 3, 2026 at 6:03 PM
In the clip, Speaker Johnson asks what if ICE is running after a person and the person retreats into a home—people shouldn't be allowed to block ICE that way, he says. But the warrant requirement doesn't even apply in those circumstances, see U.S. v. Santana, 427 U.S. 38, 42-3 (1976).
Reposted by Jake Laperruque
Horrifying and unnerving. DHS sent an administrative subpoena to Google for this retiree's records and even sent armed agents out to his house for the "offense" of writing the following completely anodyne email to a federal prosecutor using an email address he found via Google.
February 3, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Horrifying and unnerving. DHS sent an administrative subpoena to Google for this retiree's records and even sent armed agents out to his house for the "offense" of writing the following completely anodyne email to a federal prosecutor using an email address he found via Google.
Useful summary of the recent Senate Judiciary hearing on FISA 702 from @timstarks.bsky.social as the clock continues to tick down towards its expiration in April...
cyberscoop.com/trump-admini...
cyberscoop.com/trump-admini...
Lawmakers wonder when Trump administration will weigh on soon-expired surveillance powers
With Section 702 set to expire in April, senators from both parties question why the Trump administration skipped key hearings and hasn’t stated a position.
cyberscoop.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Useful summary of the recent Senate Judiciary hearing on FISA 702 from @timstarks.bsky.social as the clock continues to tick down towards its expiration in April...
cyberscoop.com/trump-admini...
cyberscoop.com/trump-admini...