ICE to Form Team for Social Media Surveillance and Lead Tracking

Title: ICE is Planning to Create a Surveillance Team that Hunts for Leads on Social Media

In a controversial move, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working to establish a dedicated surveillance team that will operate 24/7, scouring social media for leads. Documented plans, uncovered by Wired, reveal that ICE aims to utilize platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube to gather information on wanted individuals. In an effort to enhance their capabilities, ICE has issued a request for information to gauge contractor interest in this initiative.

The surveillance team’s primary focus will be on urgent cases, particularly those involving ICE’s Top 10 Most Wanted, where rapid responses are crucial. According to the documents, the team will aim to generate leads within a stringent 30-minute timeframe for high-priority cases. However, lower-priority cases, which may involve individuals with non-violent misdemeanors, will allow for an extended lead generation window of eight hours.

Currently, ICE intends to staff this team with a minimum of 12 full-time employees at its National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center in Vermont, ensuring continuous coverage with at least three staff members on duty at all times. Meanwhile, the Pacific Enforcement Response Center in California is seeking at least 16 full-time contractors to manage after-hours and emergency situations.

As part of its planning phase, ICE is exploring how artificial intelligence could be integrated into surveillance operations. This initiative raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties, especially given ICE’s previous controversies involving facial recognition technology.

As discussions surrounding this surveillance team unfold, the implications for societal privacy remain significant. What are your thoughts on ICE’s approach? Share your opinion in the comments.