City officials in Denver have halted the approval of an extension for a significant surveillance database contract used in various investigations involving individuals.
The Thomson Reuters CLEAR service, which aggregates public and corporate data for criminal, property, and financial inquiries, is at the center of this discussion as the city considers adding $320,000 to an existing contract.
Councilmember Sarah Parady, who proposed the postponement, expressed concerns over the expanded capabilities this contract would introduce, stating, “It’s common software, but this contract appears to be adding search tools for law enforcement that integrate all kinds of data, including license plate data and lots of other sorts of pieces.”
She emphasized that the council initially overlooked this expansion due to the title and called for more thorough examination before any decisions are made.
The scrutiny surrounding the Thomson Reuters CLEAR service is not new. Previously, it faced backlash for its collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has been involved in lawsuits concerning unauthorized data collection practices in California.
The contract is managed by West Publishing Corporation, and it is important to clarify that Thomson Reuters CLEAR is distinct from the CLEAR identity verification service frequently seen at airports and public locations.
In 2020, a class action lawsuit emerged in California, accusing Thomson Reuters of selling personal information—including social media profiles—without consent from the individuals concerned. The lawsuit outlined that the company was violating Californians’ common law right of publicity, which allows individuals to control how their information is shared.
In 2024, the lawsuit was settled, with plaintiffs receiving $5,000 each and the company agreeing to limit its technology use in California without admitting to any wrongdoing.
Regarding its connection with ICE, investigations revealed that the database has been utilized in various ICE operations. Although Denver’s use of the CLEAR service is applied to missing person cases, serial sexual assault inquiries, non-compliant property ownership, and extortion, some residents remain uneasy about the implications this may have on privacy and immigration issues.
City officials argue that the service is crucial for efficient and effective law enforcement operations, with documentation stating, “The loss of this tool would create inefficiencies and challenges in the daily work of these agencies.”
They further support their assertion by claiming that CLEAR is considered more accurate compared to other tools available and is vital for obtaining essential information not easily accessible outside the CLEAR framework.
Thomson Reuters CLEAR asserts that it does not contain any data related to a person’s immigration or employment eligibility. Its website emphasizes that the service is not intended for mass inquiries about illegal immigration or the deportation of non-criminal undocumented individuals.
ICE does not maintain a direct contract with Thomson Reuters CLEAR; however, certain departments within the Department of Homeland Security utilize this technology according to the company’s statements.
The Thomson Reuters CLEAR website indicates that several DHS agencies rely on this service to bolster investigations surrounding terrorism, national security, public safety, narcotics trafficking, organized crime, and transnational gang activities.
Importantly, the data offered by Thomson Reuters CLEAR can be accessed without search warrants, although the company insists that it does not include specific information that typically requires a warrant.
Data excluded from CLEAR includes utility or telecommunications account information, bank or credit account details, insurance claims, Internet search behavior, phone call logs, credit histories, health records, employment history, precise geolocation data, and immigration status.
In light of these factors, the Denver City Council was scheduled to extend the Thomson Reuters CLEAR contract until June 30, 2026.
However, following Councilmember Parady’s request for further scrutiny, the council decided to postpone the vote, allowing members to consider the implications of such a contract thoroughly.
This recent action illustrates a growing trend among council members to carefully evaluate technology contracts used by law enforcement entities amid rising concerns about surveillance practices.
In addition to the Thomson Reuters CLEAR debate, Councilmember Parady is also advocating against the city’s use of Flock license plate surveillance technology. Despite the administration’s claims that this technology has effectively reduced car theft, critics raise significant constitutional questions and express worries about how federal agencies might exploit the data gathered.
While Denver has instituted certain limitations governing how the Thomson Reuters CLEAR service can be employed, including user agreements that outline specific terms, ongoing discussions about privacy and surveillance in law enforcement are likely to continue.
image source from：denverite
