ICE Plans to Expand Social Media Surveillance, Hire 30 Contractors
In a move that has sparked concerns about government overreach and individual 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 little-known 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 raw material to be transformed into intelligence for deportation raids and arrests. This expansion marks a significant escalation of ICE's existing social media surveillance efforts, which have been criticized by civil liberties groups as an overreach of government authority.
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 and flagging potential targets for ICE, using a range of criteria including immigration status, language proficiency, and online behavior.
ICE's plans have been met with criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue that the program is an invasion of individuals' privacy and an overreach of government authority. "This is a clear example of how social media can be used as a tool for surveillance and control," 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."
ICE officials have defended the program, saying it is necessary to identify and apprehend individuals who are in the country illegally. "Social media is an important tool for law enforcement agencies like ICE," said a spokesperson for the agency. "We use it to gather intelligence and identify potential targets for deportation raids and arrests."
The expansion of ICE's social media surveillance program comes as the agency faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of immigration cases. In recent months, ICE has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant families at the border and its use of private contractors to run detention facilities.
The program is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks, with the contractors working closely with ICE officials to develop and implement the surveillance program. As the program moves forward, civil liberties groups will be watching closely to ensure that it does not infringe on individuals' rights and freedoms.
Background
ICE's social media surveillance program has been in place for several years, but this expansion marks a significant escalation of its efforts. The agency has faced criticism from civil liberties groups over its use of social media monitoring tools, which have been used to identify and target individuals who are in the country illegally.
In 2019, ICE was criticized for its use of a tool called "Predictive Analytics," which used social media data to identify potential targets for deportation raids. The tool was developed by a private contractor and was used to monitor social media activity on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
Expert Opinions
Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the EFF: "This is a clear example of how social media can be used as a tool for surveillance and control. We're concerned about the potential for abuse and the impact on marginalized communities."
ICE spokesperson: "Social media is an important tool for law enforcement agencies like ICE. We use it to gather intelligence and identify potential targets for deportation raids and arrests."
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.
