University of Michigan ends covert student surveillance following Guardian exposé

ANN ARBOR, MI — June 10, 2025 The University of Michigan has officially terminated contracts with plain‑clothes private security firms after a Guardian investigation revealed that undercover operatives were surveilling pro‑Palestinian student activists both on and off campus. The university paid at least $800,000 to Detroit’s City Shield (part of Ameri‑Shield), and spent over $3 million on related security and consulting over a 15‑month period

Students say teams of operatives trailed them around Ann Arbor, covertly recording conversations in cafes and repeatedly appearing at protests and social gatherings. One student, Josiah Walker, captured video of a man feigning a disability and falsely accusing him of theft. Students also report being harassed, including by a vehicle driven close enough to cause fear

University interim President Domenico Grasso condemned the behavior as “disturbing, unacceptable and unethical,” and emphasized that no one should be targeted based on beliefs or affiliations. The university maintained that the private security’s role was to monitor high‑traffic areas for suspicious activity, not to conduct surveillance on student groups

Pro‑Palestinian and civil‑liberties advocates argue the covert tactics created a “chilling effect” on free expression. They’ve called for an independent investigation, demanding more transparency and accountability from the university administration.

While many charges against students gathered using surveillance evidence have been dropped, the incident has intensified friction on campus, raising concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and appropriate boundaries for public safety efforts in academic settings.

*Sources:
*https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/09/university-of-michigan-surveillance-students