WASHINGTON – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to hire 30 private contractors to monitor social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, in a multi-year surveillance program aimed at identifying posts linked to deportation cases.
According to draft documents, the initiative seeks 24/7 monitoring, rapid case processing, and the integration of advanced AI tools to enhance digital tracking. The move has sparked growing concerns over privacy and government overreach.
Experts warn that the plan reflects a global trend toward expanding surveillance and diminishing digital privacy, as major tech firms like Meta also face criticism for new policies enabling AI access to private user data.
Privacy advocates argue that such programs normalize intrusive monitoring, urging citizens to resist the shift toward constant digital surveillance.
