As college football fans cheer on their favorite teams, a powerful surveillance tool has been quietly gaining momentum. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Information Network (HSIN) has been deployed at numerous games and events, including the Ole Miss-Georgia matchup last year. But what exactly is HSIN, and how does it impact our privacy?

HSIN is often touted as a secure platform for law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate efforts during big events. However, documents obtained by FOIAball reveal that HSIN has become an integral part of the vast surveillance arm of the U.S. government. With access to live footage from CCTV cameras, drones, police body cams, and even cell phones, HSIN can subject any crowd to almost constant monitoring.

Since 9/11, HSINs have become a widely used tool, with over 55,000 active accounts using the platform. A recent Inspector General report found that HSIN is used not only by federal employees but also by local police agencies and even nebulous international stakeholders. The platforms host sensitive but unclassified information (SBU), including threat assessments culled from media monitoring.

But what's truly concerning is the scope of HSIN's surveillance capabilities. According to a 2006 privacy impact study, HSIN maintains a database of suspicious activities and mines those for patterns. A 2023 DHS "Year in Review" found that HSIN averaged over 150,000 logins per month, with its Connect platform coordinating security and responses at major events.

HSIN has been used at numerous high-profile events, including the Boston Marathon, Lollapalooza, the World Series, and presidential primary debates. It's also been deployed at every Super Bowl for the last dozen years. DHS is quick to tout the capabilities of HSIN in internal communications reviewed by FOIAball, revealing the growth of its surveillance scope.

But what about college campuses? Records obtained by FOIAball show how pervasive this technology has become on campus, from football games to protests. In November 2023, students at Ohio State University held several protests against Israel's war in Gaza. A report that year from DHS revealed that protesters were being watched in real-time from a central command center.

The platform has made its way to college campuses, with schools using HSIN to surveil protesters and integrate their closed-circuit cameras to live stream footage. The director of emergency management at Ohio State University told DHS that HSIN Connect had "opened new avenues" for on-campus security.

As mobile game development continues to evolve, it's essential to consider the implications of these technologies on our privacy. As we cheer on our favorite teams and participate in public events, let's not forget the power of surveillance tools like HSIN.