Democracy Dies in Darkness

How America’s surveillance networks helped the FBI catch the Capitol mob

Federal documents detailing the attacks at the U.S. Capitol show a mix of FBI techniques, from license plate readers to facial recognition, that helped identify rioters. Digital rights activists say the invasive technology can infringe on our privacy.

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April 2, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT
A statement-of-facts document presented to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Garret Miller. Prosecutors determined Miller's whereabouts before his arrest by tracking his phone, one of many technologies the FBI said it used to gather evidence against people it alleges took part in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Jon Elswick/AP)

Debra Maimone pulled down her American flag mask for a moment on Jan. 6 and gazed at the unruly mob of supporters of President Donald Trump overrunning the U.S. Capitol.

“Put your mask on,” warned her fiance, as the couple stood beneath an unblinking array of surveillance cameras. “I don’t want them to see you.”