The Topline
More than a news agency, Thomson Reuters supplies data and investigative tools to ICE, DHS, and other federal agencies via its AI-powered CLEAR Investigate software under its subsidiary Thomson Reuters Special Services (TRSS).
Used in tandem with Palantir’s data tools, TRSS’s CLEAR Investigate is another instrument in the tech-enabled authoritarian toolbox used to surveil Americans under the guise of safety.
ICE recently planned to extend a sole-source (i.e. non-competitive) five-year deal with their longtime vendor TRSS for data and analytical support services worth up to $125 million but had to walk it back. Weeks later when they did open it up to a competitive bidding process, TRSS was quickly awarded the contract.
What You Can Do About It
Thomson Reuters holds contracts with law schools, cities, law firms, and research institutions for tools like Westlaw. These are the tools we're trained to rely on as part of our legal education. That's why many of us have spent years pushing our institutions to demand Thomson Reuters cut ties with ICE.
Thomson Reuters isn't alone. Palantir, LexisNexis, AWS, and Microsoft all do business with ICE too. Thomson Reuters is now crossing a new line by bidding to build voter surveillance tools that feed the myth of voter fraud.”
TAKE ACTION TODAY
Get Involved
Here’s what you can do to stop the flow of your institution’s dollars to Thomson Reuters.
1
Spread the word about Thomson Reuters ICE contracts & voter suppression efforts.
DHS/ICE is Thomson Reuters’ highest-paying customer. After public pressure, ICE dropped its plan to hand Thomson Reuters a $125M no-bid ICE contract to investigate “voter fraud.” Within a few weeks, the contract was opened to competitive bidding, and quickly awarded to Thomson Reuters.
2
Demand that your city, university or law firm join the call to Drop Thomson Reuters.
If your campus or institution already has an effort opposing Thomson Reuter’s ICE ties, add the demand to stop voter surveillance and false claims of voter fraud.
Take advantage of research and resources to support existing campaigns and tools for launching a Drop Thomson Reuters campaign.
Call on your institution to demand Drop Thomson Reuters cut ties with ICE, or renew your demands and add the “Hands Off Our Vote” demand around ties to voter surveillance.
Here’s a sample letter for raising concerns about Thomson Reuters connections to ICE and voter surveillance and calling on your institution to cut ties with them. The letter can be modified to fit the specifics of your institution and your plans for engaging administrators.
3
Get Connected. Add your campaign to the list.
Fill out the form below to connect with the Not With Our Money team. We'll connect you to Drop Thomson Reuters efforts happening elsewhere and amplify your efforts.
Your Institution Still Has Leverage
Cities, states, and law firms and research institutions decide who they do business with. Add yours to the list telling Thomson Reuters that a data contract with ICE isn't compatible with a public contract with you. Reach out using our pre-filled email template below.
