Corporations, Federal Agencies Are Using Seattle Police's Surveillance Network

Seattle Shield is an intelligence-sharing network operated by the Seattle Police Department that includes Facebook, Amazon, real estate management, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The network is presented as a way to identify, deter, defeat, or mitigate potential acts of terrorism by reporting suspicious activity in a timely manner. The program has operated since 2009 and involves members from multiple law enforcement groups as well as private institutions and corporations. Questions remain about the usefulness of the program, accountability measures, and how information is shared. Seattle Police Department and identified corporate members did not respond to detailed requests for comment. An SPD email describes Seattle Shield as an “unfunded program” managed by Officer Erin Nicholson.

"The Seattle Shield website states that its mission "is to provide a collaborative and information-sharing environment between the Seattle Police Department and public/private partners in the Seattle area. Seattle Shield members assist Seattle Police Department efforts to identify, deter, defeat or mitigate potential acts of terrorism by reporting suspicious activity in a timely manner.""

"One SPD email obtained by Prism states that the Seattle Shield is an "unfunded program," which is managed by Officer Erin Nicholson. The system highlights how secretive public-private networks of information-sharing have permeated law enforcement intelligence collection in Seattle and across the country under the banner of supposedly preventing terrorism."

"The Seattle Shield network, which includes members from multiple law enforcement groups as well as private institutions and corporations, has been established and operating since 2009. However, it appears to be mostly off the radar of some of the most prominent civil rights groups in the state, such as the American Civil Liberties"

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