Part 4/15:
The technology debuted within US agencies around 2019, with the Atlanta Police Department publicly revealing its use via leaked documents. Early success stories, such as identifying a child exploitation suspect by matching a tiny facial image from a social media post, quickly led to wider adoption.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) became a pioneer user, with their experience rapidly influencing other departments nationwide and internationally. This rapid proliferation was facilitated by law enforcement’s desire for efficient, intelligence-gathering tools—sometimes starting quietly, without public knowledge or transparency.