+OverSword Posted May 4, 2021 #1 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Quote The Biden administration is considering using outside firms to track extremist chatter by Americans online, an effort that would expand the government's ability to gather intelligence but could draw criticism over surveillance of US citizens. The Department of Homeland Security is limited in how it can monitor citizens online without justification and is banned from activities like assuming false identities to gain access to private messaging apps used by extremist groups such as the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers. Instead, federal authorities can only browse through unprotected information on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook and other open online platforms. A source familiar with the effort said it is not about decrypting data but rather using outside entities who can legally access these private groups to gather large amounts of information that could help DHS identify key narratives as they emerge. The plan being discussed inside DHS, according to multiple sources, would, in effect, allow the department to circumvent those limits. In response to CNN's story, DHS said it "is not partnering with private firms to surveil suspected domestic terrorists online" and "it is blatantly false" to suggest that the department is using outside firms to circumvent its legal limits. CNN I don't care what they say, this is a sure path to abuse of power while bypassing traditional methods of accountability. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer screamer Posted May 4, 2021 #2 Share Posted May 4, 2021 (edited) Quote I don't care what they say, this is a sure path to abuse of power while bypassing traditional methods of accountability. Or are you just a conspiracy theorist, or possible terrorist? Quote You are either with us, or the Terrorists!!! Edited May 4, 2021 by Dreamer screamer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Desertrat56 Posted May 4, 2021 #3 Share Posted May 4, 2021 I just completed a survey by university of texas professor and it was all about the feelings of abuse of the intelligence agencies in the U.S. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OverSword Posted May 4, 2021 Author #4 Share Posted May 4, 2021 15 minutes ago, Dreamer screamer said: Or are you just a conspiracy theorist, or possible terrorist? Absolutely. If you don't have anything to hide then why worry? LOL! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Desertrat56 Posted May 4, 2021 #5 Share Posted May 4, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, OverSword said: Absolutely. If you don't have anything to hide then why worry? LOL! There are all kinds of history of why you should worry about this kind of thing, innocent people being accused and the system is rigged so that there is no way out. It is 1984/A Brave New World/We/The Minority Report etc. and maybe even a touch of the story in the movie Brazil (insanity) coming true. Edited May 4, 2021 by Desertrat56 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted May 4, 2021 #6 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Scary stuff here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromdor Posted May 4, 2021 #7 Share Posted May 4, 2021 (edited) I thought everyone knew this already. It's against the Constitution to spy on American citizens but if say the Israelis or the British spy on American citizens and then tells the CIA about what they learned it's okay. We also reciprocate for other countries that have similar protections. It's been going on for decades. Edit to add: Biden wanting to hire private firms seem to be a bit overboard. Not because of the above but because of privatization/capitalization of spying. A company exists for profit after all and would happily sell to any customer. Edited May 4, 2021 by Gromdor 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacherman76 Posted May 4, 2021 #8 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Isn’t paying someone to spy still spying? If they are using tax payers money then there is no difference between this and using the NSA. Which of course they do anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan max2 Posted May 4, 2021 #9 Share Posted May 4, 2021 This is sad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztek Posted May 4, 2021 #10 Share Posted May 4, 2021 haven't they done it before? when they chartered private planes to fly above a city with stingrays, capturing people's digital metadata. with no warrants, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vorg Posted May 4, 2021 #11 Share Posted May 4, 2021 The "Patriot" act was one such abuse. Top Ten Abuses of Power Since 9/11 | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now