TSA Use of Screening Technologies

Request Submitted To: Transportation Security Administration

Category: Surveillance

Year Filed: 2010

Background

The Transportation Security Administration has the responsibility and authority for ensuring the security of all modes of transportation, including, among others, civil aviation, ferries, passenger rail, and mass transit. In dealing solely with air travel safety, the TSA employs over 48,000 officers at hundreds of airports across the country to screen passengers and their baggage, using an array of technologically advanced systems such as x-ray systems, walk-through metal detectors, exp0losive trace detection equipment, trained K-9s, advanced imaging technologies and more. These technologies are not limited to the screening of passengers entering boarding areas, but extend as well to all public areas of airports.

Given its connection to the events of 9/11, security at Logan International Airport in Boston has figured prominently in TSA air travel safety measures. Among other steps, TSA has installed three AIT whole body scanning portals in Logan’s Terminal A with more apparently ordered. TSA has assigned a number of Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs) to Logan. Automobiles entering the parking garage in Logan’s Terminal B are subject to search upon entry.

The implementation of these measures, particularly as they move beyond the screening of passengers, raise significant public questions about their increasing intrusion on personal privacy and their effectiveness in increasing public safety, to say nothing of their high cost and their safety. Yet these measures often have been rolled out with little or no public input until they are already in use.

As TSA moves beyond the “sterile area” of the airport and even beyond the airport perimeter, the public will continue to have questions and concerns about the safety of new technologies, the privacy safeguards and the cost-benefit analysis of employing many of these methods. In order to provide more information to the public about how these technologies and methods work in practice, this request sought documents containing data and information underlying the implementation of these methods.


EOPSS Fusion Center Intelligence Sharing Information

Background

The purpose of this records request was to seek updated Fusion Center policies two years after the initial request to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Safety and Security.

Specifically, the goal was to retrieve information about:

  • Information sharing agreements between all Massachusetts cities and downs and the Fusion Center;
  • Documents and reports created by the Fusion Center’s Privacy Working Group;
  • Fusion Center operational and procedural guidelines.

Request Submitted To Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security
Category Law Enforcement
Year Filed 2010
Number of Documents Received 9

Responsive Documents

# File Name Description File Type File Size
1 CFC Brochure Commonwealth Fusion Center (CFC) Brochure PDF 831 KB
2 fusion-center-privacy-policy from web CFC Privacy Policy PDF 5.3 MB
3 Romney order establishing CFC Romney Executive Order Establishing CFC PDF 751 KB
4 CFC_attach_28CFRpart23guidelines 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 23 PDF  1.4 MB
5 CFC_attach_CFCbudget2005to2010 CFC Budget 2005-2010 PDF 1.2 MB
6 CFC_attach_CFCguidelinesoninvestigationsof1stamendmentactivity CFC Guidelines for Investigations into 1st Amendment Activity PDF 760 KB
7 CFC_attach_MOUchsbmspbpdkcc Multi-Agency MOU PDF 782 KB
8 CFC_attach_PWGmemos EOPSS Privacy Working Group Memos PDF 1 MB
9 CFC_attach_spendingonexercise Fiscal Receipts PDF 956 KB


Information About the Joint Terrorism Task Force

Request Submitted To: US Attorney for Massachusetts

Category: Law Enforcement

Year Filed: 2009

Background

Since 2000, the federal government has implemented or expanded various programs which have resulted in an unprecedented degree of information sharing between federal and state law enforcement agencies. Little information is given about how these cross-agency programs work in practice, and whatever information is given is not readily available to the public.

The purpose of this FOIA request was to seek information about the nature and extent of cooperation between the Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF); the National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF); and the Massachusetts Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC).

Given the checked history of internal security investigations in the United States, and the inherent threat to personal privacy posed by nationwide intelligence information sharing, domestic intelligence and security apparatus require the highest level of transparency and public oversight.


EOPSS Fusion Center Information

Background

After 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security began creating around 40 “Fusion Centers” across the United States. These state, local, and regional institutions were originally created to improve the sharing of anti-terrorism intelligence among different state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies. However, these agencies raise very serious privacy issues at a time when new technology, government powers, and zeal in the “war on terrorism” are combining to threaten Americans’ privacy at an unprecedented level.

A public records request was made to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security about the planning and funding of the Massachusetts Fusion Center, known now as the “Boston Regional Intelligence Center,” or BRIC. A subsequent request, made also to EOPSS, asked for information about all government systems, databases and records that are accessible by the Fusion Center.

Request Submitted To Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security
Category Law Enforcement
Year Filed 2005
Number of Documents Received 49

Responsive Documents

2005

# File Name Description File Type File Size
1 ma_10EOPSS_attach_adminprovisions Administrative Provisions PDF 87 KB
2 ma_10EOPSS_attach_anticbudgetsigned Anticipated Budget PDF  60 KB
3 ma_10EOPSS_attach_anticbudgetunsigned Anticipated Budget (Unsigned) PDF  58 KB
4 ma_10EOPSS_attach_CFCbudget0405forHSfunding Commonwealth Fusion Center Budget for Homeland Security Funding PDF   159 KB
5 ma_10EOPSS_attach_CFCorganizationalchart Commonwealth Fusion Center Organizational Chart PDF  60 KB
6 ma_10EOPSS_attach_CFCprivacypolicy Commonwealth Fusion Center Privacy Policy PDF 259 KB
7 ma_10EOPSS_attach_dugganflynnISA Interdepartmental Service Agreement Form PDF  134 KB
8 ma_10EOPSS_attach_dugganflynnISAantbudget Second Anticipated Budget Form PDF  107 KB
9 ma_10EOPSS_attach_dugganletter Receipt of Duggan (DHS Director) Letter PDF  53 KB
10 ma_10EOPSS_attach_eopssHSbudget Budget PDF  54 KB
11 ma_10EOPSS_attach_executivesummary Fusion Center Guidelines – Executive Summary PDF  1.2 MB
12 ma_10EOPSS_attach_homelandsecurityintelinfosharing Homeland Security Information Sharing PDF  458 KB
13 ma_10EOPSS_attach_letterawardingCFCfundsfy04 Letter Awarding Commonwealth Fusion Center Funds FY ’04 PDF  65 KB
14 ma_10EOPSS_attach_letterawardingCFCfundsfy05 Letter Awarding Commonwealth Fusion Center Funds FY ’05 PDF  65 KB
15 ma_10EOPSS_attach_MAhomelandsecuritystrategy04 MA Homeland Security Strategy 2004 PDF  1.2 MB
16 ma_10EOPSS_attach_mspFY05FY06counterterrorunitbudget MSP FY ’04 & ’05 Counterterrorism Unit Budget Sheet PDF  190 KB
17 ma_10EOPSS_attach_raytheoncontracttermscond Raytheon Contract Terms & Conditions PDF  1.1 MB
18 ma_10EOPSS_attach_requestforinformation MSP Request for Information on Intelligence Management Software PDF  2.3 MB

2007

# File Name Description File Type File Size
1 CFC_MOUs Commonwealth Fusion Center Memorandums of Understanding PDF 38 KB
2 ma_attachment1_attach_table of databases accessed by CFC Table of Databases Accessed by the Commonwealth Fusion Center PDF 1.2 MB
3 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats1 Crime Statistics – Part 1 PDF 3.3 MB
4 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats2 Crime Statistics – Part 2 PDF  3.7 MB
5 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats3 Crime Statistics – Part 3 PDF 3.5 MB
6 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats4 Crime Statistics – Part 4 PDF 3.5 MB
7 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats5 Crime Statistics – Part 5 PDF 2.8 MB
8 ma_attachment2_attach_crimestats6 Crime Statistics – Part 6 PDF 2.1 MB
9 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&BerkleyLPD MOU between CFC & Berkley Local PD PDF 2.2 MB
10 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&BostonPoliceTacticalIntelCenter MOU between CFC & Boston Police Tactical Intelligence Center PDF 2.4 MB
11 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&BrooklinePoliceDepartment MOU between CFC & Brookline PD – Part 1 PDF 2.3 MB
12 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&BrooklinePoliceDepartment2 MOU between CFC & Brookline PD – Part 2 PDF 2.3 MB
13 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&CommonwealthInformationTechnologyDivision MOU between CFC & Commonwealth Information Technology Division PDF 3.8 MB
14 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MAAeronauticsCommission MOU between CFC & MA Aeronautics Commission PDF 5.3 MB 
15 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MAChiefsofPoliceAssociation MOU between CFC & MA Chiefs of Police Association PDF 1.3 MB 
16 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MADeptFireServices MOU between CFC & MA Dept. of Fire Services PDF 4.8 MB
17 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MADeptPublicHealth MOU between CFC & Dept. of Public Health – Part 1 PDF 4.3 MB 
18 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MADeptPublicHealth2 MOU between CFC & Dept. of Public Health – Part 2 PDF 4.8 MB
19 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MADOC MOU between CFC & Dept. of Corrections PDF 2.2 MB
20 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MaineStatePolice MOU between CFC & Maine State Police PDF 1.9 MB
21 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MANatlGuardCounterDrug MOU between CFC & MA Natl. Guard Counter Drug PDF 4 MB
22 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MBTATransitPolice MOU between CFC & MBTA Transit Police PDF 3.7 MB
23 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&MEMA MOU between CFC & MA Emergency Management Agency PDF 4 MB
24 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&NHSP MOU between CFC & New Hampshire State Police PDF 2.6 MB
25 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&NJSPpdf MOU between CFC & New Jersey State Police PDF 2 MB
26 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&NSTAR MOU between CFC & NSTAR Electric & Gas
PDF 188 KB
27 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&ROIC MOU between CFC & Rhode Island State Police
PDF 2 MB
28 ma_attachment3_attach_CFC&UpstateNY MOU between CFC & New York State Police PDF 907 KB
29 ma_attachment3_attach_MSP&FBI MOU between MSP & FBI – Part 1
PDF 4.3 MB
30 ma_attachment3_attach_MSP&FBI2 MOU between MSP & FBI – Part 2
PDF 6.2 MB
31 ma_attachment3_attach_MSP&FBI Reimbursementpdf Reimbursement Agreement between MSP & FBI PDF 713 KB


Asset Forfeiture by Suffolk County District Attorney

Request Submitted To: Suffolk District Attorney

Category: Law Enforcement

Year Filed: 2015

Background

Below are correspondences and documents related to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and its use of asset forfeiture in 2013 through 2015.


Officer Barry Flanders and the Joint Terrorism Task Force

Background

In December 2002, Officer Barry Flanders was an employee of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department. Following a series of public records requests and FOIA requests by the ACLU of Massachusetts, it was revealed that Flanders works full time for the University of Massachusetts Police Department and as their liaison to the Joint Terrorism Task Force affiliated with the FBI’s Springfield office.

Flanders’ presence on campus as a liaison to the Bureau created controversy, as people began to question the purpose of the FBI on campus grounds, and whether it could hinder academic freedom.

Request Submitted To Federal & State Law Enforcement
Category Law Enforcement
Year Filed 2002
Number of Documents Received 0

Responsive Documents

No responsive documents were identified.


Public Records

The ACLU of Massachusetts has filed hundreds of public records requests with various city, state, and federal agencies. On this page, you’ll find requests and responsive documents. These are public records, so please use them however you see fit.

Special Collections

Massachusetts Facial Recognition Records - 2021

Search RMV Facial Recognition Emails

All Requests

Click on a title to learn more about a particular request. Use the arrows and the search bar to help narrow your search

TitleSubmitted ToCategoryNumber of DocumentsYear FiledDate Published
Lantel at the Boston Office of Emergency ManagementBoston Office of Emergency ManagementSurveillance26620192/26/21
Lantel at the Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesExecutive Office of Health and Human ServicesSurveillance120192/26/21
Lantel at the Executive Office of Public Safety and SecurityExecutive Office of Public Safety and SecuritySurveillance220192/26/21
Lantel at the Executive Office for Administration and FinanceExecutive Office for Administration and FinanceSurveillance020192/26/21
Lantel at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)Surveillance220192/26/21
Lantel at the Massachusetts State PoliceMassachusetts State PoliceSurveillance1420192/26/21
DataWorks at the Executive Office of Public Safety and SecurityExecutive Office of Public Safety and SecuritySurveillance720192/26/21
Morpho at the Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesExecutive Office of Health and Human ServicesSurveillance220192/26/21
IBM at the Springfield Police DepartmentSpringfield Police DepartmentSurveillance220202/26/21
Briefcam at the City of Boston (2019)City of BostonSurveillance720192/26/21
MA Police Departments Receiving Solicitations from Clearview AIVarious Police DepartmentsSurveillance10220202/26/21
MA Police Departments with No Records from Clearview AIVarious Police DepartmentsSurveillance44520202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Agawam PDAgawam PDSurveillance320202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Andover PDAndover PDSurveillance420202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Boston PDBoston PDSurveillance020202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Beverly PDBeverly PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Marlborough PDMarlborough PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Salem PDSalem PDSurveillance320202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Somerset PDSomerset PDSurveillance220202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Wellesley PDWellesley PDSurveillance320202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Yarmouth PDYarmouth PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Bourne PDBourne PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Dalton PDDalton PDSurveillance020202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Falmouth PDFalmouth PDSurveillance420202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Great Barrington PDGreat Barrington PDSurveillance020202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Harvard PDHarvard PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Norfolk Sheriff's OfficeNorfolk Sheriff's OfficeSurveillance020202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Oxford PDOxford PDSurveillance320202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Sudbury PDSudbury PDSurveillance220202/26/21
Clearview AI at the West Bridgewater PDWest Bridgewater PDSurveillance1120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Foxbourugh PDFoxbourugh PDSurveillance120202/26/21
Clearview AI at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance520202/26/21
Briefcam at the City of Boston (2020)City of BostonSurveillance320202/26/21
COPLINK Facematch at the Massachusetts State PoliceMassachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance12019-20202/26/21
EOPSS Grants for Surveillance Tech in MA SchoolsExecutive Office of Public Safety and SecuritySurveillance220192/26/21
Face Recognition in MA SchoolsVarious School DistrictsSurveillance120192/26/21
Face Recognition in Revere Public SchoolsRevere Public SchoolsSurveillance2320192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)Surveillance420192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Executive Office of Public Safety and SecurityExecutive Office of Public Safety and SecuritySurveillance120192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance720182/26/21
Known Use of Face Recognition at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance720192/26/21
Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Use of Face Recognition at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance120192/26/21
Face Recognition at the MA Sheriff's Association [2019]MA Sheriff's AssociationSurveillance120192/26/21
Face Recognition at the MA Sheriff's Association [2018]MA Sheriff's AssociationSurveillance020182/26/21
Face Recognition at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)Surveillance02018-20192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Department of Transportation (DOT)Department of Transportation (DOT)Surveillance38020192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesExecutive Office of Health and Human ServicesSurveillance020192/26/21
Face Recognition at the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)Surveillance020192/26/21
Massachusetts State Police Access to Fusion Center Booking DatabaseMassachusetts State Police (MSP)Surveillance420172/26/21
MA Police Departments with No Records on Face Recognition (2018-2019)Various Police DepartmentsSurveillance262018-20192/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Cambridge PDCambridge PDSurveillance120182/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Medford PDMedford PDSurveillance220192/26/21
Facial Recognition at the New Bedford PDNew Bedford PDSurveillance120182/26/21
Facial Recognition & COPLINK at the Northampton PDNorthampton PDSurveillance820192/26/21
Suspect Technologies and the Plymouth PDPlymouth PDSurveillance120182/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Plymouth PDPlymouth PDSurveillance020192/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Revere PDRevere PDSurveillance520182/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Salem PDSalem PDSurveillance220192/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Springfield PDSpringfield PDSurveillance1420192/26/21
Facial Recognition at the Peabody PDPeabody PDSurveillance120192/26/21
Location of Surveillance Cameras Across BostonCity of BostonSurveillance020192/26/21
Video Surveillance Data Sharing in BostonCity of BostonSurveillance120192/26/21
Boston Security Camera Strategy MeetingsCity of BostonSurveillance120192/26/21
Federal Funds for the BRIC and OEMCity of BostonLaw Enforcement3220207/22/20
DEA and FBI Face Surveillance RecordsFederal & State Law EnforcementSurveillanceOngoing production20196/17/20
MA Dept. of Public Health COVID-19 Response
Massachusetts Department of HealthPublic Health520205/7/20
Face Recognition in Revere Public SchoolsRevere Public SchoolsSurveillance2220192/19/20
State Audit of Bristol SheriffBristol County Sheriff’s OfficeLaw Enforcement1069201912/5/19
Use of Robotics in Law EnforcementMassachusetts State PoliceLaw Enforcement7201911/25/19
Boston Police Department Collaboration with ICEBoston Police DepartmentImmigration10201910/26/19
Towing Profits by Massachusetts Dept. of Public UtilitiesMassachusetts Department of Public UtilitiesLaw Enforcement1020199/27/19
Surveillance Cameras and Associated Technologies in the Metro Boston AreaBoston Office of Emergency ManagementSurveillance220199/4/19
Records Regarding Face Surveillance TechnologyNorthampton Police DepartmentSurveillance1520196/27/19
Minutes from Boston Area Homeland Security MeetingsBoston Metro Homeland Security RegionLaw Enforcement2520186/25/19
Plymouth Police Face Surveillance EmailsPlymouth Police DepartmentSurveillance320185/6/19
SWAT Team Deployments ↗Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement CouncilLaw Enforcement11920123/18/19
Boston Police Filming Protesters at BPDA meetingBoston Police DepartmentSurveillance220177/19/18
Massachusetts Use of Facial Recognition TechnologyMassachusetts State PoliceSurveillance620177/19/18
New Bedford Field Interrogation and Observation ReportsNew Bedford Police DepartmentLaw Enforcement1720157/19/18
Social Media Monitoring by Boston PoliceBoston Police DepartmentSurveillance320167/10/18
Administrative Subpoena Use by District AttorneysVarious Commonwealth District Attorney'sSurveillance3120177/9/18
Drone Use by Boston Police DepartmentBoston Police DepartmentSurveillance420177/9/18
Info about First Responder Network AuthorityMassachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & SecuritySurveillance1520156/19/18
Short-Term Detention and Cooperation with CBP and DHSWilmington Police DepartmentLaw Enforcement720156/19/18
Info about Metropolitan Law Enforcement CouncilMetropolitan Law Enforcement CouncilLaw Enforcement920156/19/18
Regional Interagency Mutual Aid Organizations Between Law EnforcementVarious Commonwealth Police DepartmentsLaw Enforcement1220146/19/18
Mass DOT's Use of Facial Recognition TechnologyMassachusetts Executive Office of TransportationSurveillance620146/19/18
Administrative Subpoena Use Across the CommonwealthAttorney General & District Attorney OfficesSurveillance4420136/19/18
National Guard Resources and RecordsMassachusetts National GuardLaw Enforcement520136/19/18
Relationship Between Police and Drug Enforcement AdministrationVarious Commonwealth Police DepartmentsLaw Enforcement1520136/19/18
Procurement for Urban Areas Security InitiativeBoston Office of Emergency ManagementSurveillance2920136/19/18
Information about Joint Terrorism Task Force and Todashev CaseFBILaw Enforcement3420136/19/18
Information about Joint Terrorism Task Force & Todashev CaseUS Attorney for MassachusettsLaw Enforcement2920136/19/18
SWAT & Special Ops Deployment HistoryVarious Commonwealth Police DepartmentsLaw Enforcement3820136/12/18
Surveillance Technology in SchoolsVarious Commonwealth Public SchoolsSurveillance2820106/12/18
Asset Forfeiture by Suffolk County District AttorneySuffolk District AttorneyLaw Enforcement920156/11/18
Passenger Tracking InformationMBTA & Transit PoliceSurveillance1320126/11/18
Information About DoD 1033 ProgramMassachusetts State PoliceLaw Enforcement720126/11/18
Use of Administrative SubpoenasVarious Commonwealth District Attorney'sLaw Enforcement5720116/11/18
Use of Automatic License Plate ReadersMassachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & SecurityLaw Enforcement6620116/11/18
Surveillance of Protected ActivityBoston Police DepartmentLaw Enforcement820116/11/18
Obtaining Historical Cell Phone Location DataVarious Commonwealth Police DepartmentsSurveillance1720116/11/18
Use of Facial Recognition TechnologiesVarious Commonwealth Police DepartmentsLaw Enforcement3820106/11/18
TSA Use of Screening TechnologiesTransportation Security AdministrationSurveillance5220106/11/18
Purchase Info from Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)Office of Emergency PreparednessLaw Enforcement4620106/11/18
Information About the Joint Terrorism Task ForceUS Attorney for MassachusettsLaw Enforcement8920096/11/18
EOPSS Fusion Center Intelligence Sharing InformationMassachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & SecurityLaw Enforcement920106/11/18
EOPSS Fusion Center InformationMassachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & SecurityLaw Enforcement4920056/11/18
Officer Barry Flanders & Cooperation with the JTTFFederal & State Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement020026/11/18
CBP Title 42 ExpulsionsU.S. Customs and Border ProtectionImmigration5202110/1/21
Plymouth County Sheriffs Department RecordsPlymouth County Sheriffs DepartmentLaw Enforcement3320211/10/22
Department of Unemployment Assistance: Use of Facial Recognition and ID.meDepartment of Unemployment AssistanceSurveillance2420211/26/22
Drone use by Massachusetts State PoliceMassachusetts State PoliceSurveillance132202112/19/22