Social Media and SecurityKyle Basedow, Alexandra Linde, Nina Rodgers

Introduction● A majority of the time, social media creates a community

● Issues begin to arise during times of crisis/emergency when social media users endanger themselves and others

● Certain social media platforms are more vulnerable to safety threats than others (Twitter vs. LinkedIn)

● Two main issues involving personal safety/security: Identifying locations and targeted threats

Location, Location, Location

#SULockdown

Paris Attack

s #porteouverte

Parisians used the hashtag to signal that they needed a safe place to go, or have a safe place to offer (McHugh, 2015)

The hashtag became inundated with inspirational messages, pushing down the tweets citizens could actually use to the bottom of the stream

Social Media Surveillance

Screening social media accountsShould the government be allowed access to the public's social media platforms for background checks upon entering the U.S.?

→ In early 2015 the secret policy that prohibited immigration officials to utilize social media platforms for all immigrants applying for U.S. visas was renewed by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson despite controversy. (Apuzzo,Schmidt,Preston, NYT)

→ Some may argue that it is an invasion of privacy for the government to hack into our social media accounts.

→ On July 27th 2014, Tashfeen Malik and her husband entered the U.S.

(Figure 1, 2015. CNN Headline.)

→ San Bernardino attacks occurred on Dec. 2, 2015

→ Years before entering the U.S., Tashfeen Malik direct messaged people over social media saying how she wanted to commit jihad and martyrdom.(Evan Bleier, Daily Mail)

→ None of the messages were discovered in the screening process.

→ The Immigration department has no program that is known to screen social media platforms.

→ Time concerns are not an issue because our advanced technology has the ability to identify these “red flags” for the immigration department. (Apuzzo,Schmidt,Preston, NYT)

→ National security has become a major concern

→ Former SU Student posts anonymous tip on Yik Yak about harming others.

→ DPS and Syracuse police were able to stop the individual and locate them because of his social media post. (Samantha House, Syracuse.com)

Another Example...

→ Two students were arrested at the University of Northwest Missouri after posting anonymously on Yik Yak about shooting black students on campus.(Alcindor and Stanglin. USA TODAY)

→ What would it be like if a social media screening program existed during the immigration process to the U.S.? Would these red flags have been found?

→ Where do you draw the line?

→ What is the threshold of people's comments that would allow suspicion and call for further investigation?

Recommendations

Possible Solutions➔ It comes down to a question of ethics

◆ How far should the government be able to go? Once the access is granted, it would be very difficult to get back

◆ How much do they have access to already?

➔ Should they be granted access, there must be guidelines

◆ Protection of freedom of speech

➔ More location based services (like Facebook check-ins)

◆ Separate streams by location

◆ City based apps

➔ Think before you share

References1) Figure 1, 2015. CNN Headline. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/14/us/san-bernardino-shooting/

2) Visa Process Missed San Bernardino Wife’s Zealotry on Social Media, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/us/san-bernardino-attacks-us-visa-process-tashfeen-maliks-remarks-on-social-media-about-jihad-were-missed.html?_r=0.

3) Tashfeen Malik reportedly passed background checks despite questionable social media posts, Fox News, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/12/13/tashfeen-malik-reportedly-passed-background-checks-despite-questionable-social/.

4) Evan Bleier, REVEALED: San Bernardino terrorist Tashfeen Malik openly supported violent jihad on social media yet still passed THREE background checks to gain entry into America, Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3357799/Tashfeen-Malik-discussed-jihad-social-media-getting-visa-carrying-San-Bernardino-shooting.html

5) Samantha House. Syracuse University officers charge former student with making threat.Syracuse.com. http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/11/syracuse_university_officers_charge_former_student_with_making_threat.html

6) Yamiche Alcindor and Doug Stanglin, 2 suspects arrested in social media threats at Missouri campuses. USA TODAY, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/11/some-at-u-of-missouri-on-edge-after-social-media-threats-of-violence/75559034/

7) Aryeh Savir, Tazpit. ynetnews App helps Israelis seek bomb shelters. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4353723,00.html

8) Molly McHugh. After Paris Attacks, Parisians Use Hashtag to Offer Shelter. Wired.com http://www.wired.com/2015/11/paris-attacks-parisians-use-porteouverte-hashtag-to-seek-offer-safe-shelter/