Police spend $85,500 to access AI platform that can geolocate photos

GeoSpy describes its service as a useful tool for travelers, academics, and anyone interested in discovering where a photo was taken. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze images and estimate their possible geographic locations.

The company appears to have expanded its clientele after the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and the Los Angeles Police Department obtained access to the system. According to a report by 404 Media, which reviewed internal police correspondence, these agencies intend to incorporate the tool into criminal investigations.

GeoSpy’s website highlights examples of cases in which its technology has been applied, though it does not publicly name the agencies that have licensed the software. Internal emails from Miami-Dade indicate that its Cyber Crimes Bureau has been trialing the platform and considers it promising. The documents further reveal that the department uses both a worldwide “global” model and a customized version tailored specifically for Miami-Dade County.

While GeoSpy claims its system can pinpoint locations within one to five meters, internal communications suggest that the customized local model may achieve accuracy as precise as one meter. Records show the total contract value reached $85,500. This amount reportedly covered two annual licenses with limited search capacity, additional bulk searches, and the development of the county-specific model.

The same documents indicate that the LAPD’s Robbery and Homicide Bureau is also utilizing the technology. Launched in 2023, GeoSpy AI analyzes visual cues—such as buildings, terrain, and vegetation—to determine where an image may have been captured.

Because the technology is relatively new and its overall reliability is still being evaluated, internal guidance advises investigators to treat its results as preliminary leads rather than conclusive evidence. Officials also acknowledged the risk of inaccurate matches and emphasized restricting the sharing of personally identifiable information unless absolutely necessary. So far, information generated through the platform has not directly resulted in arrests.

This cautious approach may reflect broader awareness of the societal risks tied to AI-driven investigative tools, particularly when errors occur. Similar concerns arose with Clearview AI, a facial recognition company promoted as a resource for law enforcement. The company’s practices were examined in Your Face Belongs to Us by Kashmir Hill, which detailed cases where incorrect identifications allegedly contributed to wrongful arrests. In 2024, the Dutch Data Protection Authority ruled that Clearview AI had unlawfully compiled a massive facial image database and imposed a fine.

Amid increased enforcement actions, including operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agencies are reportedly exploring additional digital tools to aid investigations. Recent reports suggest that ICE is also examining data practices within the advertising industry as part of its intelligence-gathering efforts.

Voice Of Osiz

At Osiz, we see the growing adoption of AI-powered geolocation platforms by law enforcement as a clear sign of how intelligent technologies are transforming investigative processes. The ability to analyze visual patterns and accurately identify image locations demonstrates the rapid evolution of computer vision solutions. However, innovation must always be balanced with responsibility, transparency, and ethical safeguards. AI systems should function as decision-support tools rather than standalone authorities. Proper validation, human oversight, and data privacy controls are essential to prevent misuse or false positives. As an AI Development Company, Osiz believes that secure architecture and compliance-driven deployment frameworks are key to building trust in advanced AI applications. When implemented responsibly, AI can significantly enhance operational efficiency while protecting societal interests.

Source: CyberNews