"ICE Plans 24/7 Social Media Spying Operation"

ICE Plans to Expand Social Media Surveillance, Hiring Contractors to Monitor Online Activity In a move that has raised concerns about government overreach and online privacy, 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 these facilities, who will be tasked with scouring Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms for raw material that can be transformed into intelligence for deportation raids and arrests. This expansion of ICE's surveillance capabilities has sparked concerns among civil liberties groups and experts, who argue that it could lead to further erosion of online privacy. According to the contracting records, the program is expected to run for multiple years, with the contractors working around the clock to monitor social media activity. The analysts will be responsible for identifying potential targets for deportation, including individuals who may have posted about their immigration status or expressed views that are deemed "suspicious" by ICE. The expansion of ICE's surveillance program comes as the agency faces growing criticism over its handling of immigration enforcement. In recent months, ICE has been accused of targeting vulnerable populations, including children and families, for deportation. The new surveillance program is likely to fuel these concerns, with many arguing that it will only serve to further entrench ICE's reputation for aggressive and often arbitrary enforcement. "This is a disturbing development," said Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). "By hiring private contractors to monitor social media activity, ICE is essentially outsourcing its surveillance capabilities to companies that may not have the same level of expertise or oversight as government agencies." Lynch noted that the expansion of ICE's surveillance program raises significant concerns about online privacy and the potential for abuse. "If ICE is using private contractors to monitor social media activity, it's unclear what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive information," she said. ICE officials have not commented on the specifics of the new surveillance program, but a spokesperson for the agency did confirm that the expansion of its online monitoring capabilities was part of a broader effort to enhance its enforcement efforts. "As part of our ongoing efforts to protect national security and public safety, we are continually evaluating and improving our methods for identifying potential targets for deportation," the spokesperson said. The new surveillance program is expected to be implemented in the coming months, with ICE officials indicating that they plan to begin hiring contractors soon. As the agency expands its online monitoring capabilities, civil liberties groups and experts will be watching closely to ensure that these efforts do not infringe on individuals' right to free speech or online privacy. Background ICE's social media surveillance program has been in operation for several years, with the agency using a combination of government analysts and private contractors to monitor online activity. However, the expansion of this program is significant, with the new contracts indicating that ICE plans to hire nearly 30 contractors to work on the project. The use of private contractors to monitor social media activity has raised concerns about accountability and oversight. While government agencies are subject to strict regulations and guidelines governing their surveillance activities, private companies may not be held to the same standards. Next Steps As the new surveillance program is implemented, civil liberties groups and experts will be closely monitoring ICE's efforts to ensure that they do not infringe on individuals' rights. The EFF has vowed to continue fighting against what it sees as an erosion of online privacy, with Lynch noting that "we will be watching closely to ensure that ICE's expansion of its surveillance program does not lead to further abuses of power." This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.