Clearview AI is developing a new tool called InquiryIQ that enables law enforcement agencies to access detailed profiles of individuals based on their online activities. This tool automates the process of gathering publicly available information, similar to other platforms like ShadowDragon’s SocialNet and Penlink’s Tangles, which assist investigators in mapping a person’s digital footprint.
According to Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a law professor at George Washington University, this type of automated investigation can be described as “digital rummaging.” It involves compiling various digital clues left by individuals across the internet, which were previously difficult to connect. However, privacy scholar Woodrow Hartzog warns that such tools reduce the labor involved in investigations, potentially eliminating important checks on surveillance practices.
Concerns Over Accuracy and Oversight
When an InquiryIQ search concludes, the system presents officers with identities and connections that can be accepted or rejected before being added to a profile. Clearview cautions that the demographic and social media data generated may not always be accurate, and officers must verify findings independently. Kyler, a representative from Clearview, emphasizes that human review is integral to the system’s design, stating that it is meant to surface leads rather than determine truth.
Despite this, Hartzog expresses concern that over time, investigators may rely too heavily on automated systems, leading to a situation where human oversight becomes merely a formality. This concern is underscored by a case in Minnesota where defense lawyers challenged a Clearview report that included inaccurate matches from protest photography, raising questions about the reliability of such automated tools.
Technological Variability and Future Implications
The prototype of InquiryIQ reviewed by Wired showed variability in results depending on the model selected for research. The interface allows users to choose from different models, including those from xAI and Amazon Bedrock. However, concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology remain, especially in light of past incidents involving AI-generated misinformation.
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