Homeland Analysts Told to Monitor Policy Debates in Social Media (nytimes.com)
A 2011 Department of Homeland Security manual instructs its analysts who monitor social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to produce reports about online references to DHS policies and activities. In addition to the names of DHS components and other government agencies, the 2011 manual includes keyword search terms such as “cops,” “hacking,” “illegal immigrants,” “police,” “pork,” and “radicals,” which would likely produce reams of First Amendment content. DHS officials had previously said they had rejected a 2009 proposal to monitor such policy discussions on social media sites, which is a clear indications DHS’s social network surveillance program lacks adequate oversight.
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in National Security
-
ACLU Acknowledges Improvements to DOJ Racial Profiling Policy, But Says Far More is Needed
-
ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward
-
Shen v. Simpson
-
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.