Current Events > Biden team may partner with private firms to monitor extremist chatter online

Topic List	Page List: 1
Antifar 05/03/21 8:30:48 PM #1:	https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/03/politics/dhs-partner-private-firms-surveil-suspected-domestic-terrorists/index.html 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. "All of our work to address the threat of domestic terrorism is done consistent with the Constitution and other applicable law, and in close coordination with our privacy and civil liberties experts," the DHS statement added. But the department has considered partnering with research firms who have more visibility in this space, though it has not done so to this point, the sources said. If that ultimately happens, DHS could produce information that would likely be beneficial to both it and the FBI, which can't monitor US citizens in this way without first getting a warrant or having the pretext of an ongoing investigation. The CIA and NSA are also limited on collecting intelligence domestically. It would, however, involve empowering a unit at DHS that is already under fierce scrutiny for its bungled handling of the Portland riots last summer, an episode that included collecting intelligence reports on journalists and unmasking private citizens, according to a source familiar with a recent internal report on the matter. That leaves the Biden administration with a key question: how to address mistakes made during the Trump administration while also finding ways to respond to what critics say were blatant failures by US intelligence agencies to act on warnings ahead of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol? "There's a tension between wanting to empower [DHS's intelligence office] to do this kind of work around domestic terrorism on the one hand and then on the other hand the misuse of its capabilities during the summer of 2020, gives a lot of people on the Hill pause {when it comes to} potentially giving them new authorities, capabilities or resources," a Senate aide told CNN. DHS officials are exploring ways to enhance the department's information gathering within the bounds of its current authorities, multiple sources told CNN. The department is coordinating with the National Security Council and FBI as part of the effort, sources added. "There was only limited awareness before January 6 of what violent extremists were planning through social media," said Tom Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who served as DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy from 2008 until 2019 and has decades of experience as a career government official at agencies including the State Department. Warrick added he would expect DHS to "explore whether contractors could help them understand plots and trends" emerging online. "Whatever gets approved and implemented has to comply with established laws," he said, noting that DHS can only use overt methods to gather information from social media or collect information that is publicly available. Researchers who already monitor such activity online could act as middlemen to obtain the information. DHS officials maintain the materials provided would only consist of broad summaries or analysis of narratives that are emerging on these sites and would not be used to target specific individuals. But some of the research firms and non-profit groups under consideration by the DHS periodically use covert identities to access private social media groups like Telegram, and others used by domestic extremist groups. That thrusts DHS into a potential legal gray area even as it plugs an intelligence gap that critics say contributed to the failure to predict the assault on the Capitol. Much of the planning for the Capitol Hill riot appeared out in the open, on social media platforms and on encrypted apps available to anyone with an internet connection. The DHS is trying to get a better sense of "narratives" that might lead to violence as they emerge across those channels, according to two DHS officials. But tracking those narratives, particularly in the wake of January 6, increasingly requires access to private groups on encrypted apps as extremist groups migrate from more forward-facing sites like Facebook. By the time narratives are appearing on Facebook, it is usually too late, one DHS official told CNN. "Domestic violent extremists are really adaptive and innovative. We see them not only moving to encrypted platforms, but obviously couching their language so they don't trigger any kind of red flag on any platforms," the official added. Outsourcing some information gathering to outside firms would give DHS the benefit of tactics that it isn't legally able to do in-house, such as using false personas to gain access to private groups used by suspected extremists, sources say. The department is also working to expand its ability to collect information from public-facing social media sites where users' posts offered clear warning signs about potential violence ahead of the January 6 attack, but were either ignored or underestimated by security officials prior to that date. But any effort by the intelligence community to wade into the murky area of domestic spying is fraught with political risks, current and former officials say. Gathering information on US citizens -- no matter how abhorrent their beliefs -- raises instant constitutional and legal challenges. Civil liberties advocates and privacy hawks have long criticized any efforts to collect even publicly available information on Americans in bulk as a violation of Americans' First and Fourth Amendment rights. ... Even as the DHS eyes a more robust use of its intelligence authorities, it continues to face fierce scrutiny on Capitol Hill over its handling of the Portland protests last summer raising the possibility that at least some lawmakers will push back on the effort. The department -- then led by Trump appointees but staffed by career officials, some of whom remain on the job -- collected and disseminated open source reports on U.S. journalists who were publicly reporting on the protests. The department also sent analysts to Portland to question protesters, according to a public statement by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. -- a tactic seen by some as a government intrusion on Americans' First Amendment right to protest. Schiff also revealed that the DHS that protects federal property had requested that analysts "extract data" from phones seized from protesters without a warrant, a request that went unfulfilled. "There were a number of other reports that were issued that shouldn't have been issued," DHS' acting intelligence chief, Joseph Maher, told the committee in October. --- kin to all that throbs <cite>Antifar posted [p:953523281] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/03/politics/dhs-partner-private-firms-surveil-suspected-domestic-terrorists/index.html <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. "All of our work to address the threat of domestic terrorism is done consistent with the Constitution and other applicable law, and in close coordination with our privacy and civil liberties experts," the DHS statement added. But the department has considered partnering with research firms who have more visibility in this space, though it has not done so to this point, the sources said. If that ultimately happens, DHS could produce information that would likely be beneficial to both it and the FBI, which can't monitor US citizens in this way without first getting a warrant or having the pretext of an ongoing investigation. The CIA and NSA are also limited on collecting intelligence domestically. It would, however, involve empowering a unit at DHS that is already under fierce scrutiny for its bungled handling of the Portland riots last summer, an episode that included collecting intelligence reports on journalists and unmasking private citizens, according to a source familiar with a recent internal report on the matter. That leaves the Biden administration with a key question: how to address mistakes made during the Trump administration while also finding ways to respond to what critics say were blatant failures by US intelligence agencies to act on warnings ahead of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol? "There's a tension between wanting to empower [DHS's intelligence office] to do this kind of work around domestic terrorism on the one hand and then on the other hand the misuse of its capabilities during the summer of 2020, gives a lot of people on the Hill pause {when it comes to} potentially giving them new authorities, capabilities or resources," a Senate aide told CNN. DHS officials are exploring ways to enhance the department's information gathering within the bounds of its current authorities, multiple sources told CNN. The department is coordinating with the National Security Council and FBI as part of the effort, sources added. "There was only limited awareness before January 6 of what violent extremists were planning through social media," said Tom Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who served as DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy from 2008 until 2019 and has decades of experience as a career government official at agencies including the State Department. Warrick added he would expect DHS to "explore whether contractors could help them understand plots and trends" emerging online. "Whatever gets approved and implemented has to comply with established laws," he said, noting that DHS can only use overt methods to gather information from social media or collect information that is publicly available. Researchers who already monitor such activity online could act as middlemen to obtain the information. DHS officials maintain the materials provided would only consist of broad summaries or analysis of narratives that are emerging on these sites and would not be used to target specific individuals. But some of the research firms and non-profit groups under consideration by the DHS periodically use covert identities to access private social media groups like Telegram, and others used by domestic extremist groups. That thrusts DHS into a potential legal gray area even as it plugs an intelligence gap that critics say contributed to the failure to predict the assault on the Capitol. Much of the planning for the Capitol Hill riot appeared out in the open, on social media platforms and on encrypted apps available to anyone with an internet connection. The DHS is trying to get a better sense of "narratives" that might lead to violence as they emerge across those channels, according to two DHS officials. But tracking those narratives, particularly in the wake of January 6, increasingly requires access to private groups on encrypted apps as extremist groups migrate from more forward-facing sites like Facebook. By the time narratives are appearing on Facebook, it is usually too late, one DHS official told CNN. "Domestic violent extremists are really adaptive and innovative. We see them not only moving to encrypted platforms, but obviously couching their language so they don't trigger any kind of red flag on any platforms," the official added. Outsourcing some information gathering to outside firms would give DHS the benefit of tactics that it isn't legally able to do in-house, such as using false personas to gain access to private groups used by suspected extremists, sources say. The department is also working to expand its ability to collect information from public-facing social media sites where users' posts offered clear warning signs about potential violence ahead of the January 6 attack, but were either ignored or underestimated by security officials prior to that date. But any effort by the intelligence community to wade into the murky area of domestic spying is fraught with political risks, current and former officials say. Gathering information on US citizens -- no matter how abhorrent their beliefs -- raises instant constitutional and legal challenges. Civil liberties advocates and privacy hawks have long criticized any efforts to collect even publicly available information on Americans in bulk as a violation of Americans' First and Fourth Amendment rights. ... Even as the DHS eyes a more robust use of its intelligence authorities, it continues to face fierce scrutiny on Capitol Hill over its handling of the Portland protests last summer raising the possibility that at least some lawmakers will push back on the effort. The department -- then led by Trump appointees but staffed by career officials, some of whom remain on the job -- collected and disseminated open source reports on U.S. journalists who were publicly reporting on the protests. The department also sent analysts to Portland to question protesters, according to a public statement by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. -- a tactic seen by some as a government intrusion on Americans' First Amendment right to protest. Schiff also revealed that the DHS that protects federal property had requested that analysts "extract data" from phones seized from protesters without a warrant, a request that went unfulfilled. "There were a number of other reports that were issued that shouldn't have been issued," DHS' acting intelligence chief, Joseph Maher, told the committee in October.</quote> </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CADE FOSTER 05/03/21 8:33:37 PM #2:	how bout just label them terrorist organizations and round them up <cite>CADE FOSTER posted [p:953523374] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>how bout just label them terrorist organizations and round them up </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
armandro 05/03/21 8:34:05 PM #3:	rip cechat discord --- https://imgur.com/sKghEcP 8 October, 2023 <cite>armandro posted [p:953523388] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>rip cechat discord </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
FL81 05/03/21 8:35:45 PM #4:	just what we need, more government snooping --- Thanks to Proofpyros for the sig images https://imgur.com/Nv4Pi1v https://imgur.com/N43HJYv <cite>FL81 posted [p:953523444] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>just what we need, more government snooping </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
lejonbrames 05/03/21 8:36:05 PM #5:	Bye CE, good riddance to the leftist extremists. <cite>lejonbrames posted [p:953523451] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Bye CE, good riddance to the leftist extremists.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CADE FOSTER 05/03/21 8:40:13 PM #6:	lejonbrames posted... Bye CE, good riddance to the leftist extremists. start with this guy gitmos waiting <cite>CADE FOSTER posted [p:953523600] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>lejonbrames posted... </cite> <quote>Bye CE, good riddance to the leftist extremists.</quote>start with this guy gitmos waiting </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Guide 05/03/21 8:41:46 PM #7:	FL81 posted... just what we need, more government snooping About fucking time. --- evening main 2.4356848e+91 https://youtu.be/Acn5IptKWQU <cite>Guide posted [p:953523660] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>FL81 posted... </cite> <quote>just what we need, more government snooping</quote> About fucking time. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
lejonbrames 05/04/21 10:56:44 AM #8:	CADE FOSTER posted... start with this guy gitmos waiting Leftist extremists like you are why the vote was so close. You dumbasses almost cost us the election. <cite>lejonbrames posted [p:953540872] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>CADE FOSTER posted...</cite> <quote>start with this guy gitmos waiting</quote> Leftist extremists like you are why the vote was so close. You dumbasses almost cost us the election.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Pus_N_Pecans 05/04/21 10:59:50 AM #9:	Long overdue tbh. --- My arts- https://www.deviantart.com/bleakcreep <cite>Pus_N_Pecans posted [p:953540956] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Long overdue tbh. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 11:02:51 AM #10:	FL81 posted... just what we need, more government snooping If anything, the seeming need to pretend assholes don't exist on twitter and facebook is exactly why they've gone underground. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953541039] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>FL81 posted... </cite> <quote>just what we need, more government snooping</quote>If anything, the seeming need to pretend assholes don't exist on twitter and facebook is exactly why they've gone underground. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Were_Wyrm 05/04/21 11:04:50 AM #11:	I hope his incline does not become lubricated. --- I was a God, Valeria. I found it...beneath me. - Dr. Doom https://imgur.com/FKDXbHs <cite>Were_Wyrm posted [p:953541104] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>I hope his incline does not become lubricated. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
coh 05/04/21 11:05:42 AM #12:	So we like Big Brother watching us now? <cite>coh posted [p:953541126] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>So we like Big Brother watching us now? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarkChozoGhost 05/04/21 11:06:40 AM #13:	Why don't they just label them terrorists then use the already existing overreaching legislature to prosecute them? --- My sister's dog bit a hole in my Super Mario Land cartridge. It still works though - Skye Reynolds 3DS FC: 3239-5612-0115 <cite>DarkChozoGhost posted [p:953541158] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Why don't they just label them terrorists then use the already existing overreaching legislature to prosecute them? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 11:08:58 AM #14:	DarkChozoGhost posted... Why don't they just label them terrorists then use the already existing overreaching legislature to prosecute them? Being a complete ass online isn't quite "terrorism". <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953541222] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>DarkChozoGhost posted... </cite> <quote>Why don't they just label them terrorists then use the already existing overreaching legislature to prosecute them?</quote>Being a complete ass online isn't quite "terrorism". </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
ElatedVenusaur 05/04/21 11:09:35 AM #15:	I am sure this won't end up being used to surveil protesters, union organizers, etc. Completely and utterly. We can definitely trust the government and social media firms with broad surveillance 100%, there is definitely not a mountain of evidence to the contrary. <cite>ElatedVenusaur posted [p:953541242] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>I am sure this won't end up being used to surveil protesters, union organizers, etc. Completely and utterly. We can definitely trust the government and social media firms with broad surveillance 100%, there is definitely not a mountain of evidence to the contrary. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CADE FOSTER 05/04/21 11:10:52 AM #16:	ElatedVenusaur posted... I am sure this won't end up being used to surveil protesters, union organizers, etc. Completely and utterly. We can definitely trust the government and social media firms with broad surveillance 100%, there is definitely not a mountain of evidence to the contrary. then just label terrorist hates groups accordingly and we dont need it <cite>CADE FOSTER posted [p:953541283] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>ElatedVenusaur posted... </cite> <quote>I am sure this won't end up being used to surveil protesters, union organizers, etc. Completely and utterly. We can definitely trust the government and social media firms with broad surveillance 100%, there is definitely not a mountain of evidence to the contrary.</quote>then just label terrorist hates groups accordingly and we dont need it </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 11:13:05 AM #17:	CADE FOSTER posted... then just label terrorist hates groups accordingly and we dont need it Who decides what "accordingly" means? <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953541350] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>CADE FOSTER posted... </cite> <quote>then just label terrorist hates groups accordingly and we dont need it</quote>Who decides what "accordingly" means? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Irony 05/04/21 11:14:41 AM #18:	The bar for Biden and his administration was pretty low but this dude be backflipping over the bar --- I am Mogar, God of Irony and The Devourer of Topics. <cite>Irony posted [p:953541411] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>The bar for Biden and his administration was pretty low but this dude be backflipping over the bar </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Doom_Art 05/04/21 11:15:50 AM #19:	ElatedVenusaur posted... union organizers Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers --- Not removing this until Mega Man 64 is released on the Wii Virtual Console. Started on: 12/1/2009 https://imgur.com/mPvcy <cite>Doom_Art posted [p:953541456] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>ElatedVenusaur posted... </cite> <quote>union organizers</quote>Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 11:19:27 AM #20:	Doom_Art posted... Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers That's just what the left does. Once trade unions becomes a threat to state for some reason, they're either infiltrated or eliminated. Sometimes both. The people who get you into power are rarely the same people who can keep you in power. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953541588] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Doom_Art posted... </cite> <quote>Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers</quote>That's just what the left does. Once trade unions becomes a threat to state for some reason, they're either infiltrated or eliminated. Sometimes both. The people who get you into power are rarely the same people who can keep you in power. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Guide 05/04/21 12:09:48 PM #21:	Questionmarktarius posted... Once trade unions becomes a threat to state for some reason what --- evening main 2.4356848e+91 https://youtu.be/Acn5IptKWQU <cite>Guide posted [p:953543177] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Questionmarktarius posted... </cite> <quote>Once trade unions becomes a threat to state for some reason</quote> what </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 12:14:24 PM #22:	Guide posted... what Either the unions become the government, get taken over by the government, or be eliminated by the government - sometimes all of the above. It's happened in every leftist nation to date, give or take France. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953543349] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Guide posted... </cite> <quote>what</quote>Either the unions become the government, get taken over by the government, or be eliminated by the government - sometimes all of the above. It's happened in every leftist nation to date, give or take France. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Smashingpmkns 05/04/21 12:15:13 PM #23:	Not a good thing imo. --- https://imgur.com/x04tPRZ https://imgur.com/t7T392I <cite>Smashingpmkns posted [p:953543370] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Not a good thing imo.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 12:18:46 PM #24:	Smashingpmkns posted... Not a good thing imo. What does 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. even mean, anyway? <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953543493] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Smashingpmkns posted... </cite> <quote>Not a good thing imo.</quote>What does <quote>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.</quote>even mean, anyway? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
ElatedVenusaur 05/04/21 1:29:15 PM #25:	Doom_Art posted... Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers You really think their private sector partners wouldn't? Certainly a Republican administration would put it to nefarious use. <cite>ElatedVenusaur posted [p:953545903] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Doom_Art posted... </cite> <quote>Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers</quote>You really think their private sector partners wouldn't? Certainly a Republican administration would put it to nefarious use. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Antifar 05/04/21 1:30:49 PM #26:	Doom_Art posted... Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers Do you expect Democrats to control the presidency in perpetuity? (To say nothing of the way that agencies like DHS have been known to go rogue). --- kin to all that throbs <cite>Antifar posted [p:953545956] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Doom_Art posted... </cite> <quote>Why would the Biden admin have anything against union organizers</quote>Do you expect Democrats to control the presidency in perpetuity? (To say nothing of the way that agencies like DHS have been known to go rogue). </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Lathissamus 05/04/21 1:33:56 PM #27:	government is step bro and im stuck in the washing machine --- https://imgur.com/olOXz6h https://imgur.com/kaFczn3 <cite>Lathissamus posted [p:953546088] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>government is step bro and im stuck in the washing machine </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
RiKuToTheMiGhtY 05/04/21 1:35:57 PM #28:	Its a sad day when people are not only supporting more government snooping but asking for more government in their lives. --- doa-plus.com - We Press Forward. . . By Pressing Back. <cite>RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted [p:953546166] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>Its a sad day when people are not only supporting more government snooping but asking for more government in their lives. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 05/04/21 1:41:54 PM #29:	RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted... Its a sad day when people are not only supporting more government snooping but asking for more government in their lives. First they came for [those people I don't like], and I did not speak out because fuck 'em. ...then they came for me. Fuck me. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:953546406] in Biden team... [t:79439746]...</cite> <quote>RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted... </cite> <quote>Its a sad day when people are not only supporting more government snooping but asking for more government in their lives.</quote>First they came for [those people I don't like], and I did not speak out because fuck 'em. ...then they came for me. Fuck me. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Topic List	Page List: 1

Current Events > Biden team may partner with private firms to monitor extremist chatter online (+) Yeah! (+)

Current Events > Biden team may partner with private firms to monitor extremist chatter online