For Immediate Release
S.T.O.P. Report Demands Mamdani Dismantle NYC Surveillance State, Details Policy Recommendations
(New York, NY, 2/26/26) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, released Dear Mamdani: Dismantle NYC’s Surveillance State, a report detailing how the mayor can use the powers of his office to rein in the NYPD’s vast surveillance apparatus and fulfill his campaign promises. Shared directly with the Mayor's Office, the report details the NYPD’s illegal data sharing and abuse of unregulated databases, facial recognition tools, drones, and other surveillance technologies; underscores the risk to undocumented New Yorkers and anyone else in the Trump administration’s crosshairs; and maps the specific steps that Mayor Mamdani can take right now to end NYC’s surveillance overreach.
SEE: S.T.O.P. Report – Dear Mamdani: Dismantle NYC’s Surveillance State
https://www.stopspying.org/dear-mamdani
“Mayor Mamdani has denounced data-sharing that enables ICE and condemned NYPD’s use of facial recognition, the gang database, and social media monitoring tools,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Research Director Eleni Manis. “But eight weeks into his administration, he has yet to act. Our city’s surveillance infrastructure puts immigrant New Yorkers at risk, and threatens anyone the Trump administration may target next: protestors, healthcare seekers, blacklisted researchers, journalists. Mayor Mamdani needs to deliver on his promises to dismantle NYC's surveillance state. This report shows him exactly how.”
“Our report shows Mayor Mamdani just how clear and necessary the steps to end surveillance operations really are, from ending dragnet warrants to grounding police drones," said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Michelle Dahl. "This isn't just a list of suggestions––it's a call to action and a route to protecting New Yorkers, and it's more than ready for implementation.”
SEE: The Guardian - Mamdani faces first showdown with NYPD – will he risk alienating police?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/17/zohran-mamdani-nypd-stop-fakes
Key Findings Include:
- Mayor Mamdani has publicly rejected the Criminal Group Database (“gang database”), facial recognition, and NYPD’s use of social media spying, and has promised to protect personal data from being co-opted for mass deportation campaigns. However, he has yet to act.
- Through the powers vested in his office, NYC Mayor Mamdani can and must:
- Proactively block collaboration with ICE;
- Stop mass surveillance of jail calls;
- Dismantle NYPD’s Criminal Group Database (“gang database”) and its illegal DNA database;
- End NYPD use of dragnet warrants;
- Ban police use of facial recognition;
- Ground police drones and keep robots off our streets;
- Sharply limit NYPD spying on social media
The report follows the Trump administration’s acceleration of ICE activity in New York, and after the NYPD’s release of updated policies indicating a bolstered system of access to license plate readers, drone footage, and other surveillance technologies.
SEE: City and State NY - New York must say no to social media surveillance
https://www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2023/06/opinion-new-york-must-say-no-social-media-surveillance/387335/
NY1 - Data: ICE arrests in NYC already higher 6 months into Trump administration compared to 2024
https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2025/12/02/data--ice-arrests-in-nyc-already-higher-6-months-into-trump-administration
Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns NYPD “Domain Awareness System 2.0”
https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2026/2/12/stop-condemns-nypd-domain-awareness-system-20
S.T.O.P. condemned Eric Adams’ expansion of the NYPD’s surveillance and drone programs during his mayoral tenure. With Mayor Mamdani now in office, the report sets forth a plan to eliminate the tools and policies that weaponize New Yorkers’ data, subject targeted communities to searches, and normalize mass surveillance.
SEE: Tech Policy Press - New York Mayor Eric Adams Built a Drone Dystopia. Mamdani Shouldn’t Let it Fly.
https://www.techpolicy.press/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-built-a-drone-dystopia-mamdani-shouldnt-let-it-fly/
The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.
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