Privacy news

An Explosion of Surveillance Towers is Coming to U.S. Borders, Costing Over $1 Billion

Published July 20, 2026 · EFF Deeplinks

A government watchdog report indicates the Department of Homeland Security intends to grow its border surveillance tower network from roughly 830 to about 2,300 towers by 2034, backed by around $1 billion in federal funding. The towers use AI-driven radar, thermal, and optical sensors to track people and vehicles, and some sit near residential areas where they can capture footage of homes, yards, and playgrounds. Privacy advocates warn this build-out, alongside drones, license plate readers, and ground sensors, erodes civil liberties for anyone living or traveling near the border.

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