Maryland Scientist Faces Backlash Over Alleged ICE Tracking App

A scientist from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Maryland is under scrutiny following allegations that he is the creator of an app designed to track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. The app, known as Red Dot, has gained attention after a recent shooting incident involving ICE agents in Dallas, which some reports suggest was facilitated by similar tracking technology.

Laura Loomer, a political activist and associate of former President Donald Trump, raised concerns on social media, urging an investigation into Nicholas Waytowich, the scientist linked to Red Dot. Loomer claimed that Waytowich should be dismissed from his position due to the potential danger the app poses to ICE agents.

The Red Dot app is characterized in the Apple App Store as “a community-driven safety tool that helps protect immigrant communities through real-time ICE activity reporting and alerts.” It is created by Binary Brains LLC, a company registered in Florida. Loomer traced this entity back to Waytowich, who resides in Baltimore and is identified as the CEO. The Baltimore Sun confirmed these business records, although it remains uncertain if this Binary Brains is the same one responsible for the app, as several businesses share the name.

By Wednesday morning, Loomer’s tweet had garnered over 1.5 million views and nearly 8,000 shares, prompting increased public interest and commentary about Waytowich’s role. The Baltimore Sun attempted to reach Waytowich through multiple channels, including voicemail, email, and in-person visits to his residence, but received no response.

Waytowich’s professional background includes a position as a machine learning research scientist at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, alongside roles as a part-time faculty member at both Anne Arundel Community College and UMBC. Loomer highlighted the conflict of interest in her statement, emphasizing the inappropriateness of an individual involved with an ICE tracking app being employed at a leading military research facility.

It is crucial to recognize the implications of such technology amid rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. The emergence of apps like Red Dot has sparked significant debate about privacy, safety, and the ethical responsibilities of developers in the current political climate.

As discussions continue, the fate of Waytowich and the future of the Red Dot app remain uncertain. The situation underscores the complexities at the intersection of technology, public safety, and national security.