Concerns over app pushing the boundaries of surveillance

NBC News is looking to improve our email offerings and we invite you to take this survey. We value your feedback and appreciate your input! Click here WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we have an in-depth look a concerns surrounding a public safety app, problems with the country's first reparations package, and two big policy announcements from President Joe Biden.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Wednesday morning. Inside Citizen: The public safety app pushing surveillance boundaries The smartphone app Citizen sends alerts about nearby incidents including crime. But recently, it has started to do much more.   The company's CEO, Andrew Frame, ordered his staff to put a $30,000 reward on the capture of a man he incorrectly thought was responsible for starting a brushfire that was threatening homes. The sheriff's office denounced the move, saying it put the man in danger, and the man was cleared of wrongdoing.   Days later, people started to see what looked like a law enforcement SUV bearing Citizen's logo driving around Los Angeles   It turned out to be a test of a private security force for people willing to pay the company a monthly fee, and it was quickly denounced on social media as a dystopian idea that could interfere with the 911 system. The company then abandoned the test.   These attempts to branch out are causing alarm among both experts and people who have worked at Citizen.   "Why does Andrew Frame get to decide to put a bounty on anyone's head?" said one former Citizen employee.   Read the article here.  Wednesday's top stories The country's first municipal reparations program is off to a rocky start By Michela Moscufo | Read more  When Evanston, Illinois, passed a reparations package, it was deemed a blueprint for the rest of the country. But frustration and legal pressure have clouded the city's pioneering vision.   Biden administration officially ends Trump's 'remain in Mexico' asylum policy By Dareh Gregorian | Read more The White House on Tuesday ended former President Donald Trump's "remain in Mexico" policy, which forced asylum-seekers to stay south of the U.S. border until their claims were heard.   Also on Tuesday,  the Biden administration on suspended oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, reversing a drilling program approved by the Trump administration Iran's biggest warship catches fire, sinks in Gulf of Oman By The Associated Press | Read more The largest warship in the Iranian navy caught fire and later sank Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman under unclear circumstances, semiofficial news agencies reported. OPINION Texas' voting bill to support Trump's 'Big Lie' will eventually pass. Blame the Supreme Court.  By Scott Lemieux  | Read more It used to be unconstitutional to target Black and brown communities with voter suppression efforts. Then the court ruled against the Voting Rights Act, writes  Scott Lemieux, political science teaching professor at the University of Washington. Simu Liu, the Asian Marvel superhero emerging at a critical time By Kimmy Yam | Read more  Liu, star of "Shang-Chi," said the team aimed to respectfully celebrate the Asian diaspora while drawing on source material written by "two white men ... at the height of the kung fu craze."  BETTER Halloumi is the cheese you can grill — here's how By Vidya Rao | Read more If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying halloumi cheese, now is as good a time as ever. It's a cheese you can grill, so it's the perfect addition to your summer cookout. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Body believed to be that of missing Houston boy, 6, found at East Texas motel Democrat wins New Mexico special election, preserving narrow U.S. House majority Robert Hogan, actor who appeared in everything from 'Laverne & Shirley' to 'The Wire,' dies at 87 Oklahoma imam left 'emotional' over Jewish teen's act of kindness Pennsylvania police chief charged after threatening citizen for critical Facebook posts Rapper DaBaby interviewed by police in wake of Miami Beach shooting SHOPPING The best deals in June come from brands like Casper, Dyson, Apple and more. One fun thing A 3-year-old Leona had a special birthday request: A cake that recreated the scene from "The Lion King" where evil Mufasa kills Simba's father.   Why? Because it means more cake for the birthday girl, of course.   "Everyone will be too sad to eat the cake and it will be all for me," she said, according to a tweet from her uncle.   Read the story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith. Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser