to the editor: What a terrifying story that leaves so many unanswered questions (“Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns,” November 20).
Questions about who is being detained: Was the system tested before being put into operation? Does the targeting algorithm have built-in biases? What is the racial composition of the people under surveillance? What is the conviction rate of those being monitored?
Oversight Questions: Were members of Congress informed about this system? Who supervises the system? Why wasn't the American public informed?
Questions about data collection and AI: Are databases filled with raw data from license plate readers vulnerable to hacking? Can a certain license plate give access to other databases with more information about the registered owner of that vehicle? How is AI used to find targets?
Money Trail Questions: Which companies are involved in the design and operation of the system? Who makes money from it?
The list of unanswered questions could go on and on. One thing is certain: as the system has existed under both political parties, both are complicit in the creation of a surveillance state. However, it is especially worrying now that we have a would-be dictator at the helm bent on waging war on immigrants.
Charles Petithomme, Burbank
