The "Top" of tomorrow is autonomous. The NYPD is currently beta-testing an AI proxy that automatically changes its protocol based on the target website. If the officer visits a site protected by Cloudflare (which hates datacenter IPs), the AI switches to a residential peer proxy. If the site is on the dark web, it routes through Tor over VPN (a controversial "Tor over Top" configuration).
: Critics, including the ACLU, argue that facial recognition tools are often inaccurate, particularly for people of color, yet are treated as reliable proxies for identifying suspects. nypd+proxy+top
: "Pretext stops"—stops for minor infractions used as a reason to investigate more serious crimes—are frequently criticized for being deeply damaging to community trust when suspicions are founded on hunches rather than unlawful conduct [21]. Security Management for "Top Tier" Targets The "Top" of tomorrow is autonomous