ICE Plans to Expand Social Media Surveillance, Hiring 30 Contractors
In a move that has raised concerns about government overreach and civil liberties, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is planning to dramatically expand its social media surveillance program. According to federal contracting records reviewed by WIRED, ICE is seeking private vendors to run a multiyear surveillance program out of two of its targeting centers in Vermont and Southern California.
The program envisions stationing nearly 30 private analysts at ICE facilities, who will be tasked with scouring Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms for posts, photos, and messages that could be used as intelligence for deportation raids and arrests. This expansion of the surveillance program is part of a broader effort by ICE to increase its online presence and gather more information about individuals who may be subject to deportation.
ICE's plans to expand its social media surveillance program have been met with criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue that it is an overreach of government power and a threat to individual privacy. "This is a clear example of how the government is using technology to monitor and control people's online activities," said Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). "We're concerned about the potential for abuse and the impact on marginalized communities."
The program is expected to be implemented in the coming months, with contractors being hired to work out of ICE facilities. The agency has not disclosed how much it plans to spend on the program or what specific metrics will be used to determine its success.
ICE's social media surveillance program is part of a broader trend of government agencies using private vendors to gather intelligence and conduct online monitoring. In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to expand its use of private contractors for social media monitoring, citing the need to stay ahead of emerging threats.
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program has also raised concerns about the potential for bias and profiling in the targeting process. "We're worried that this program will be used to target marginalized communities, including immigrants and people of color," said Lynch. "It's a classic example of how technology can be used to perpetuate existing biases and inequalities."
ICE officials have not commented on specific concerns about bias or profiling, but have stated that the program is designed to help identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security.
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program is expected to continue in the coming months, with contractors being hired to work out of ICE facilities. As the program moves forward, civil liberties groups and experts will be closely monitoring its implementation and impact on individual privacy and online freedoms.
Background
ICE has been using private vendors for social media monitoring since 2011, when it launched a pilot program to gather intelligence from social media platforms. The agency has since expanded its use of private contractors, with the current program expected to be one of the largest and most comprehensive efforts yet.
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program is part of a broader trend of government agencies using technology to monitor and control online activities. In 2020, the DHS announced plans to expand its use of private contractors for social media monitoring, citing the need to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Quotes
"We're concerned about the potential for abuse and the impact on marginalized communities." - Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
"This is a clear example of how the government is using technology to monitor and control people's online activities." - Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
"We're worried that this program will be used to target marginalized communities, including immigrants and people of color. It's a classic example of how technology can be used to perpetuate existing biases and inequalities." - Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.
