ICE Contracts with AI Firm ZeroFox to Shield Agent Identities Online
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched a $15 million initiative using artificial intelligence to prevent the public disclosure of agent identities, raising concerns among current and former officials about potential misuse against whistleblowers.
What happened
ICE launched a "Doxing Mitigation Initiative" using AI technology from ZeroFox, a company that develops software to detect and monitor digital presence across social media and the dark web. The Department of Homeland Security signed a $15 million contract with ZeroFox in July for software licenses supporting ICE operations and investigations, specifically for the Office of Intelligence at ICE's Homeland Security Investigations division. An internal memo from Acting ICE Director David Venturella, leaked to The Intercept, described the initiative as designed to "strengthen safeguards" for ICE personnel and their families. Neither ICE nor ZeroFox responded to requests for comment about how the initiative will function in practice.
Context
The initiative raises concerns about potential misuse against internal dissent. In 2015, ZeroFox offered its services to Baltimore officials and sent Baltimore Police a list of people identified by its social-media monitoring system that classified peaceful BLM protest organizers as physical threats. After the January 6 attack, the FBI used ZeroFox technology to identify online extremist activity with limited success, with the bureau's agents referring to it with a derisive nickname. An anonymous ICE official warned the system could be used to identify and retaliate against whistleblowers or critics of the Trump administration, comparing it to a "honeypot" for catching leakers. Richard Forno, a cybersecurity expert, said it is "plausible" the technology could target whistleblowers. ZeroFox is led in part by Bryan Ware, a former DHS assistant director for cybersecurity under the first Trump administration, and is currently owned by private equity firm Haveli Investments.
What's disputed
The precise operational mechanics of the initiative and its intended scope remain unclear from the contract and memo. Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney Sophia Cope noted that while individuals have legitimate interests in limiting published personal information, the concern is whether ICE intends to use the program to shield itself from public accountability.