the watchers: how openai, the US government, and persona built an identity surveillance machine that files reports on you to the feds
Hacker News
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article "The Watchers" reveals a concerning collaboration between OpenAI, the U.S. government, and a startup called Persona, which has built a system capable of monitoring individuals' identities through facial recognition and biometric data. This surveillance machine, uncovered by security researchers, uses publicly accessible data to identify politically exposed persons, potential threats, and other watchlisted entities. The system, operating under names like "SelfieSuspiciousEntityDetection," automatically scores facial similarity matches and flags individuals for further monitoring by federal agencies.
The investigation began when researchers discovered a leaked source code from a government endpoint, exposing details about Persona's infrastructure. This included databases of biometric face data, watchlists maintained by U.S. agencies like ICE, and SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) filings sent to FinCEN, the financial intelligence unit of the U.S. Treasury. The system also re-screens individuals periodically to check for changes in their status, such as being flagged as a potential terrorist or criminal.
The researchers emphasize that they accessed only publicly available data through legitimate channels like Shodan and CT logs, adhering to legal protections outlined in cases like Van Buren v. United States and hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn. They stress that their work falls under protected journalism and security research. However, the findings raise significant concerns about privacy, transparency, and potential misuse of biometric data by government and private entities.
The implications are profound for tech enthusiasts and those interested in digital rights. The article highlights how modern surveillance systems can operate with minimal oversight, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and facial recognition to track individuals without their consent. OpenAI's involvement, particularly through its watchlist database (openai-watchlistdb.withpersona.com), underscores the broader ethical and regulatory challenges surrounding AI-driven identity verification and surveillance.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/24/2026