A Justice Department document asks the simple question: Why Go Undercover on Facebook, MySpace, etc.?
Then it goes on to explain: "Communicate with suspects/targets" ... "gain access to non-public info" ... "map social relationships/networks."
The document, part of a Justice Department PowerPoint presentation, demonstrates how some federal and local law enforcement agents are quietly creating fictitious accounts on social networks like Facebook and MySpace to get dirt on suspected criminals. The presentation recently surfaced in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in a San Francisco federal court.
Government agents scanning Facebook for info
Posted on Saturday, April 03 2010 @ 5:30 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
AOL News reports your latest Facebook friend may be a federal agent. The site describes how government agencies use social networks like Facebook and MySpace to gather information on suspected criminals.