DHS surveillance technologies deployed at 'No Kings' protests in U.S.
U.S. federal law enforcement agencies deployed facial recognition, phone hacking tools, and surveillance drones at 'No Kings' protests on October 18, 2025. Civil liberties groups expressed concerns that participants in the nationwide demonstrations could be targeted by surveillance technologies.
What happened
The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployed facial recognition, phone hacking tools, and cell site simulators at the October 18, 2025 'No Kings' protests against President Trump's administration.
The deployment included MQ-9 Predator drones previously used in combat zones, as well as high-definition cameras and social media monitoring by multiple federal agencies.
Reported impact
Civil liberties advocates stated that participants in the mass protest, which included 2,600 rallies across all 50 U.S. states, may be targeted for surveillance.
Privacy activists warned that the level and type of surveillance would be location-specific and dependent on local police forces, with crowds in Washington D.C. likely surveilled differently than rural areas.
Index analysis
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Thorin Klosowski noted that law enforcement surveillance of peaceful demonstrations was already commonplace and posed a threat to free expression.
The Brennan Centre documented that multiple federal agencies have deployed social media monitoring.
Governance controls
An ICE spokesperson stated that 'the First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly' and that DHS was 'taking reasonable' measures.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.