The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is building a massive new database containing biometric and biographic data on people in the US.  

Northrop Grumman got a $95 million contract from DHS to develop the first stages of the system.

The new database is called the Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART). It will include face and voice recognition, DNA, scars and tattoos. The database will also include standard biographic information, like name, birthdate, physical descriptions, country of origin, and government identification information.

HART can be used to identify relationship patterns, political activities and religious affiliations, and will serve as a centralized repository for information gathered by police. The data will make it possible to identify and track people in real time.

The database will be available across US federal agencies and state and local law enforcement.

DHS already collects a massive amount of data. DHS-managed databases handle over 10 billion biographic records and every week, they add another 10 to 15 million more.

Image adapted from: “Self Portrait” by Claus Zürbig is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and “Extinguish the stars; the darkness sweeps” by Stacie DaPonte is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0