Homeland Security is using subpoenas to unmask owners of social media accounts that criticize ICE, with tech companies sometimes complying.
Washington, D.C.: The Department of Homeland Security has been sending many subpoenas to tech companies. These subpoenas ask for the names of people who own social media accounts. The accounts do not have real names on them. Some accounts do not like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Other accounts share where ICE agents are.
The New York Times reports that Homeland Security used to send just a few subpoenas. Now they send hundreds each month. They sent subpoenas to Google, Reddit, Discord, and Meta. Google, Meta, and Reddit have given information in some cases. Google says it tells users when they get subpoenas. They also say they push back when the subpoenas ask for too much information.
This is similar to other recent news stories. Bloomberg reported that Homeland Security tried to find out who owned anonymous Instagram accounts. They stopped when the account owners took them to court. The Washington Post said Homeland Security is using more of these subpoenas without asking a judge first. The subpoenas target Americans who speak their minds online.