Security News > 2022 > April > FBI investing millions in software to monitor social media platforms
FBI investing millions in software to monitor social media platforms.
The FBI has invested millions of dollars into social media tracking software, according to a report from the Washington Post.
The software licensed by the FBI is called Babel X, which allows users of the application to search social media sites within geographic and other adjustable parameters.
"The FBI uses social media tools to search publicly available information pertinent to predicated investigations in order to identify and respond to threats of violence, acts of terrorism, and potential federal violations within the scope of the FBI's mission," the FBI said in a statement published by the Washington Post.
"While the monitoring of social platforms can help law enforcement to plan for possible incidents, my fear is that it may eventually lead to a 'Minority Report' type situation where the FBI and other agencies may arrest or otherwise detain citizens that haven't actually violated any laws. I also don't think we can count on the FBI to use the software only for its stated purpose. If there is a way to misuse a tool, you can rely on government agencies to do so."
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