14
votes
Los Angeles Police Department told to collect the social media information of every civilian they interview, including individuals who are not arrested or accused of a crime
Link information
This data is scraped automatically and may be incorrect.
- Title
- Revealed: LAPD officers told to collect social media data on every civilian they stop
- Authors
- Sam Levin
- Published
- Sep 8 2021
- Word count
- 1500 words
This shouldn't happen, but I've got two ideas for a world in which it does.
Don't have social media. Frankly, this is borderline untenable for a lot of people, even as a communication tool, but is a valid option.
Keep that social media blank and private. The only thing the cops got on me is a handful of group chats where the worst thing they'll find are edgy jokes and memes.
Also, don't use your name on any sites that don't require it, so you can have plausible deniability should somebody ask.
Better yet, don't talk to the police whatsoever.
Alternatively, you can refuse their requests.
Definitely an option, and I'm not sure they could do much about it. But I also see some power in providing them minimal, accurate, but wholly useless information. You can avoid the hassle, and they can think they won.
If it happened to me I would definitely ask if I am obliged to give out that information.
Yesterday my husband and I were talking about this article and wondered why more cards are filled out for Black and Latino residents. Is it because Blacks and Latinos are asked more? Is it that white folks feel safer telling them no? Does everyone say no at the same rate, but Blacks and Latinos are pressured more to give that information? Something else?
Regardless the whole thing smells.