US Department of Homeland Security Engages Hootsuite for Social Media Management
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has entered into a significant contract with the Canadian firm Hootsuite, entailing the deployment of its technology for the administration and oversight of social media platforms.
This agreement recently surfaced through various media outlets in both Canada and the US, following the public disclosure of certain elements of the contract.
As reported by the Canadian news organization Betakit, Hootsuite is slated to furnish the DHS with its social media management and monitoring tools, with potential financial outlays reaching as high as $2.8 million USD, extending until 2029.
While the precise stipulations of the contract lack clarity, it seems to afford the DHS access to Hootsuite’s support services, along with a connected program known as Talkwalker. This application harnesses artificial intelligence to facilitate the surveillance and analysis of social media interactions.
When approached for comment by North American media, Hootsuite refrained from issuing a statement, citing a policy of not providing information to “current, former, or potential clients or partners.”
Previous controversies linger from 2020, when the company faced backlash for negotiating a contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency within the DHS. This uproar compelled Hootsuite to annul the three-year engagement and dismiss two employees who had publicly revealed the partnership.
ICE Surveillance Developed in Luxembourg
At the time of that earlier contract, the Talkwalker program was absent from the arrangement, as Hootsuite did not acquire the company until 2024.
Founded by Thibaut Britz and Christophe Folschette, Talkwalker was previously based in Luxembourg and received financial backing from Robert Glaesener.
The acquisition was publicized in April 2024, which designated the Luxembourg offices as Hootsuite’s European headquarters. Both entities were pursuing analogous technological advancements aimed at scrutinizing social media discourse regarding their users, as detailed by Paperjam in 2024.
Understanding Hootsuite
According to its official website, Hootsuite identifies itself as a comprehensive “social media marketing and management tool,” designed to enhance the management of users’ digital presence.
Hootsuite’s clientele encompasses notable entities such as IKEA, Adobe, the World Health Organization, and the University of Chicago.
The website accentuates the Luxembourg-produced Talkwalker as a pivotal asset within its social listening offerings.
It asserts that Talkwalker is adept at monitoring millions of conversations across social media platforms, enabling users to survey the entire expanse of the web through its services.
“Obtain the most lucid insight into your audience’s commentary—irrespective of the platform. Cutting-edge AI scrutinizes countless websites, ensuring you do not overlook any mention, crisis, or opportunity to participate in dialogue,” the website asserts.
In light of these developments, it appears that over the forthcoming three years, a program originating in Luxembourg will be employed by the US Department of Homeland Security—and by extension, ICE—for the surveillance of social media platforms.
Source link: Today.rtl.lu.
