Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Palantir spent $515 million building ICE's surveillance machine

Big Tech Built ICE a $515 Million Surveillance Machine. You Paid For It.

Microsoft. Amazon. Google. Palantir. Four of the most powerful technology companies on Earth collectively spent $515 million building a surveillance apparatus for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Iris scanners. Facial recognition. Phone-hacking tools. Cell location tracking. All pointed at people living in America.

The Investigation

WIRED and the EFF documented the contracts: $515 million in surveillance technology sold to ICE and CBP. This isn't speculation or leaked documents — these are public contracts, procurement records, and corporate filings. The companies aren't hiding it. They just hope you won't look.

What $515 Million Buys

Iris scanners that can identify you from across a room. Facial recognition that works on blurry security camera footage. Software that hacks into phones and extracts every message, photo, and location you've ever stored. Cell tower tracking that follows your movements in real time. All operated by an agency with a track record of overreach and zero accountability.

The Hypocrisy

These same companies run Pride campaigns, post about human rights, and sponsor diversity initiatives. While simultaneously selling the tools to track, identify, and deport people. The marketing budget says "we care." The government contracts say "we'll surveil anyone for the right price."

Why It Matters

When tech companies build mass surveillance tools for the government, every citizen becomes a potential target. The tools built for ICE today can be pointed at protesters, journalists, or political opponents tomorrow. Once the infrastructure exists, the only question is who decides how to use it.