S.T.O.P. Warns That Spying on 50K Facebook Users Is ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’

View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Warns That Spying on 50K Facebook Users Is ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’ (New York, NY 12/17/2021) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, warns that revelations that private surveillance firms have spied on more than 50,000 Facebook users through fake accounts is just the “tip of the iceberg.” Seven firms reportedly created the fake accounts to target activists and journalists in over 100 countries. The civil rights group noted that police in America and around the world use the same tactic to spy on the public and circumvent the courts. SEE: CNBC - Meta says 50,000 Facebook users may have been spied on by private surveillance firms https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/meta-says-50000-facebook-users-may-have-been-spied-on-.html “Facebook wants credit for shutting down these accounts, but they created this risk in the first place,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “You don't get a prize for breaking out the fire extinguisher if you also left out gasoline and a pack of matches. Facebook’s platform continues to fuel mass surveillance by governments and corporate espionage firms. If Facebook wants accolades for shutting down 7 companies, they’ll need to explain how they’ll reign in the thousands of police departments and surveillance firms that do the exact same thing.” Earlier this year, the NYPD revealed that it maintained fake social media accounts. Pursuant to the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a newly enacted New York City surveillance law, the Department revealed its “Internet Attribution Management Infrastructure”, software that allows officers to maintain large numbers of fake accounts. The LAPD also was later shown to maintain fake accounts, “friending” residents and gaining access to their accounts without a court order. SEE: Internet Attribution Management Infrastructure POST Act Report https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/public_information/post-final/internet-attribution-management-infrastructure-nypd-impact-and-use-policy_4.9.21_final.pdf The Guardian - Facebook demands LAPD end social media surveillance and use of fake accounts https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/18/facebook-lapd-social-media-surveillance-fake-accounts The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.