ICE Plans to Expand Social Media Surveillance, Hiring 30 Contractors
In a move that has raised concerns about government overreach and invasion of privacy, US immigration authorities are planning to dramatically expand their social media surveillance program. According to federal contracting records reviewed by WIRED, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking private vendors to run a multiyear surveillance program out of two targeting centers in Vermont and Southern California.
The program envisions stationing nearly 30 private analysts at ICE facilities, who will be tasked with scouring social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for raw material to be transformed into intelligence for deportation raids and arrests. The contractors will work around the clock, seven days a week, to monitor online activity and identify potential targets.
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program has sparked concerns among civil liberties groups and experts in the field. "This is a clear example of how government agencies are using technology to expand their reach and gather intelligence on citizens," said Jennifer Granick, Surveillance and Civil Liberties Director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "We need to be vigilant about ensuring that these programs are transparent, accountable, and subject to oversight."
According to ICE's solicitation for contractors, the agency is seeking vendors with expertise in social media monitoring and analysis. The program will involve a range of activities, including identifying potential targets based on their online activity, analyzing social media posts and messages, and providing intelligence reports to ICE agents.
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program comes as part of a broader trend of government agencies using technology to gather intelligence on citizens. In recent years, law enforcement agencies have increasingly turned to social media monitoring tools to identify potential suspects and track online activity.
ICE officials did not respond to requests for comment on the program. However, in a statement, an ICE spokesperson said that the agency's goal is to use social media surveillance to "identify and disrupt" threats to national security and public safety.
The solicitation for contractors also notes that the program will involve working with other government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The contract is expected to be worth millions of dollars over its multiyear term.
As the program moves forward, civil liberties groups and experts are calling for greater transparency and oversight. "We need to ensure that these programs are subject to robust oversight and accountability mechanisms," said Granick. "The public has a right to know how their personal data is being used by government agencies."
Background
ICE's social media surveillance program is part of a broader effort to use technology to gather intelligence on immigrants and potential national security threats. In recent years, the agency has faced criticism for its use of social media monitoring tools, including a 2019 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that found ICE was using Facebook and other social media platforms to identify potential targets.
Next Steps
The solicitation for contractors is currently open, with bids due in the coming weeks. The program is expected to be awarded to a private vendor later this year. As the program moves forward, civil liberties groups and experts will continue to monitor its development and advocate for greater transparency and oversight.
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This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.
