Seattle surveillance audit urges stronger safeguards

A NYU audit identified gaps in written safeguards for the Real Time Crime Center and proposed 19 guardrails, including limits on tracking and protest recording, warrants in some circumstances, and a public-use dashboard. Further reporting details weak access logging and potentially indefinite retention of evidence uploads; Mayor Katie Wilson has paused camera expansion while considering recommendations. The audit does not settle whether cameras should exist or establish their effectiveness, and a separate effectiveness review is expected in late 2027.