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Big Brother's Protecting You:

How the Goverment's Tracking Potential Protests

The use of Geofeedia's website to track content

Photo Credit: Geofeedia

Geofeedia’s use of analyzing data from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well other social media networks, is an example of utilizing ‘see, say, feel and do’ measures to gauge the content activity in a certain location.But it has led to backlash once Geofeedia began to appeal to it’s clients in law enforcement to track potential protests. This is worse since due to the content being shared the people are usually people of color. Phil Harris, chief executive of Geofeedia, said in a statement that his company “provides some clients, including law enforcement officials across the country, with a critical tool in helping to ensure public safety while protecting civil rights and liberties.” 

Although some of these features will be great for citizen journalists, since they can reach breaking news and remain current and uphold prestige, it’s still a risk to a user’s personal information and safety. 

“Posts on social media platforms can reveal information about our location, our religion, the people we associate with,” Mr. Cagle said. “Users of social media websites do not expect or want the government to be monitoring this information. And users should not be at risk of being branded a risk to public safety simply for speaking their mind on social media.”- Phil Harris

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/12/technology/aclu-facebook-twitter-instagram-geofeedia.html?_r=0