Postal Service Surveilled Protest Activities Online With Little Rules, Oversight
Summary
The U.S. Postal Service utilized its Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) to surveil social media posts related to protests across the political spectrum. Government records show this program operated with minimal oversight and legal justification, sifting through discussions about planned demonstrations.
IFF Assessment
The article reveals a government agency engaging in broad social media surveillance of citizens' activities, which is a negative development for digital privacy and civil liberties.
Defender Context
This article highlights concerns about government surveillance overreach and the potential misuse of social media monitoring tools. Defenders should be aware of how such programs can impact privacy and freedom of expression, and the need for transparency and accountability in government data collection practices.