An AI-driven tool used by law enforcement in Arizona is raising new questions about the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations and the limits of transparency in taxpayer-funded surveillance programs.
Documents obtained by 404 Media reveal that a company called Massive Blue has developed a tool that uses AI-generated images and text to create fake social media profiles designed to interact with suspected drug traffickers, human traffickers, and gun traffickers. These personas, generated by an internal platform called Overwatch, are capable of communicating with suspects via social media, text messages, Discord, and other messaging platforms, reports Wired.
While the technology appears to provide law enforcement with an innovative way to infiltrate online criminal activity, the specifics of how suspects are identified remain unclear. “Massive Blue’s solutions crawl multiple areas of the Internet, and social media outlets are just one component. We cannot disclose any further information to preserve the integrity of our investigations,” said Sam Salzwedel, public information officer for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
One slide from a Massive Blue presentation obtained by 404 Media showcases an example of what the company calls a “Child Trafficking AI Persona.” The slide features a fake persona named Jason—an AI-generated 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles whose parents emigrated from Ecuador. Jason is described as bilingual, an only child, and someone who enjoys anime and gaming. According to the slide, Jason is shy, has trouble interacting with girls, and uses Discord secretly because his parents don’t allow him on social media. The presentation includes an AI-generated image of the fictional boy.
“Our investigations are still underway. Massive Blue is one component of support in these investigations, which are still active and ongoing. No arrests have been made yet,” Salzwedel told 404 Media. “It takes a multifaceted approach to disrupting human traffickers, narcotics traffickers, and other criminals. Massive Blue has been a valuable partner in these initiatives and has produced leads that detectives are actively pursuing. Given these are ongoing investigations, we cannot risk compromising our investigative efforts by providing specifics about any personas.”
Salzwedel emphasized that the tool is not being used to enforce immigration laws. “Massive Blue is not working on any immigration cases. Our agency does not enforce immigration law. Massive Blue’s support is focused on the areas of human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other investigations.”
Despite the growing role of Massive Blue in local investigations, law enforcement agencies have resisted efforts to disclose how the tool operates. During public budget hearings in Pinal County regarding the Massive Blue contract, officials refused to provide council members with basic details about what the product actually does. “I can’t get into great detail,” said Deputy Sheriff Matthew Thomas during one hearing, warning that doing so would “tip our hand to the bad guys.”
Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which helped fund the initiative, said it had limited knowledge of how the tool functions. “From what we can ascertain, Pinal County planned to implement technology to help identify and solve human trafficking cases, and that is what we funded,” the department stated. It added that it was unaware of the specifics of Overwatch.
