By Olivia McArthur
Lincoln-based PenLink provides technology used by local and federal agencies, sparking questions over public safety and personal privacy.
OMAHA, Neb. – A Nebraska-based surveillance company is raising questions as artificial intelligence reshapes how law enforcement collects and analyzes data.
PenLink, a Lincoln-based digital intelligence company founded in 1987, provides software used by local and federal agencies to organize massive amounts of information. Its platform, PLX, allows investigators to compile phone records, internet activity and other digital data into a single system, streamlining modern policing efforts.
Supporters say the technology improves efficiency and helps investigators identify key evidence faster. Defense attorney Eric Hagen said prosecutors often rely on tools like PenLink to build cases more effectively.
“Essentially the purpose is to be more efficient … and find what they’re looking for and how it applies to a particular investigation,” Hagen said.
But as the technology expands, so do concerns about how much data is being collected—and who has access to it.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently signed a $2.3 million contract with PenLink, granting the agency access to its AI-powered surveillance tools. These tools can pull information from social media platforms, online forums and parts of the dark web, while also tracking a person’s phone location throughout the day.
Much of this data can originate from everyday smartphone apps and is often sold through data brokers, raising questions about whether such practices bypass traditional legal safeguards.
Investigative editor for the Flatwater Free Press Natalia Alamdari wrote an article bringing attention to ICE’s collaboration with AI technology. She said the implications extend beyond law enforcement.
“People should care about this because it essentially is their information that’s out there—not only for law enforcement to access, but for anyone who is willing to pay for it,” Alamdari said. “Which is kind of a scary thing to think about.”
Local agencies maintain that tools like PenLink help solve crimes faster and manage increasingly complex investigations. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and Omaha Police Department are among the local agencies that utilize PenLink, but they do not hold contracts with the AI software.
The broader debate reflects a growing national conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in policing. While supporters emphasize public safety and efficiency, critics warn that expanding surveillance capabilities could come at the cost of individual privacy.
As AI technology continues to evolve, experts say public awareness and media literacy will be critical in understanding how these systems operate—and where limits should be drawn.
For now, Nebraska remains at the center of a complex and rapidly developing issue: balancing the benefits of advanced investigative tools with the protection of personal privacy.
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