AI-powered facial recognition, robot dogs, and anti-drone systems are deployed across American stadiums supposedly for the safety of World Cup spectators. In cities like Miami, Boston, and Atlanta, fans no longer need to show tickets as they enter venues through facial recognition gates. Social media footage shows robotic dogs with AI-powered cameras patrolling stadium perimeters, while kinetic anti-drone systems have been installed to intercept unauthorized aircraft.
The US Department of Homeland Security has allocated $365 million for the World Cup security, but civil liberties groups are raising alarms over how these technologies are used after the fans go home.
“Security is often used as an excuse for agendas that have nothing to do with security at all,” warned Jay Stanley of the civil rights organization ACLU, referring to expanding immigration controls under the Trump administration. A day before the World Cup began, the Congress approved $70 billion more for immigration agencies, including ICE.
