Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, is facing his first major test with the New York Police Department (NYPD) over its use of covert online surveillance. As a state assembly member, Mamdani sponsored the Stop Fakes Act, which aimed to prohibit law enforcement from creating fake electronic accounts to gather information. The bill failed, but the issue has resurfaced now that Mamdani holds executive power.
On 4 February, the NYPD disclosed that it uses technology from Ntrepid to create “sock puppet” online identities for undercover investigations. This practice directly contradicts the legislation Mamdani once championed. As mayor, he could potentially halt its use, but he must balance his past advocacy with the need to maintain a working relationship with the police force in a city of 8.4 million residents.
Mamdani’s stance on policing has shifted since his campaign. Once a vocal supporter of the “Defund the Police” movement, he now praises Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and has stated he will not defund the NYPD. Critics, including the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, are watching closely to see if he will follow through on his earlier commitments to rein in surveillance.
The NYPD has faced ongoing criticism for non-compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, which requires disclosure of surveillance tools and safeguards. The city’s inspector general found the department’s disclosures inadequate, and the Legal Aid Society has been denied access to contracts for surveillance products. Mamdani’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
