Trump Administration Accused of Sweeping Social Media Surveillance of Lawful Residents

Electronic Frontier Foundation Sues Trump Administration Over Alleged Social Media Surveillance of Lawful Residents The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday, alleging that the government is using artificial intelligence and other methods to monitor social media posts of lawful non-citizens in the United States. The suit claims that the government is targeting individuals who express views deemed unfavorable by the current administration. According to the EFF's complaint, the government is tracking social media activity of people on valid visas or with permanent resident status, looking for posts that criticize American culture and the U.S. government, express anti-Semitic or pro-Palestine sentiments, or rationalize Charlie Kirk's murder. The lawsuit also alleges that the government is threatening non-citizens with punishment, including visa revocation and immigration confinement. "We're talking about a situation where people are being monitored for their speech, not just in public spaces but even in private online conversations," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Sophia Cope. "This is a clear infringement on the First Amendment rights of lawful residents." The lawsuit points to posts on the State Department's X account as evidence of the government's alleged surveillance efforts. The EFF argues that this monitoring is not only unconstitutional but also has a chilling effect on free speech. "This is a fundamental issue about who gets to decide what kind of speech is acceptable in our society," said Cope. "The government should not be deciding which viewpoints are allowed and which are not." Background research suggests that social media surveillance has become increasingly prevalent, with many governments around the world using AI-powered tools to monitor online activity. However, experts argue that this trend raises significant concerns about individual freedoms and the role of government in regulating speech. "This is a slippery slope," said Dr. Rachel Levinson-Chen, a digital rights expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "If we allow governments to monitor our online activity based on their own subjective standards, it sets a precedent for further censorship and surveillance." The EFF's lawsuit seeks an injunction against the government's alleged social media monitoring practices and damages for those affected. As the case unfolds, experts predict that it will have significant implications for digital rights and free speech in the United States. "This is a critical moment for our democracy," said Cope. "We need to ensure that our online conversations remain protected from government overreach." The Trump administration has yet to comment on the lawsuit. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*