Final presentation on the possible security risks of social media

1. SocialMediaandSecurity
Kyle Basedow, Alexandra Linde, Nina Rodgers

2. Introduction
● A majority of the time, social media creates a community
● Issues begin to arise during times of crisis/emergency when social media
users endanger themselves and others
● Certain social media platforms are more vulnerable to safety threats than
others (Twitter vs. LinkedIn)
● Two main issues involving personal safety/security: Identifying locations
and targeted threats

3. Location,Location,Location

4. #SULockdown

5. ParisAttacks
#porteouverte
Parisians used the
hashtag to signal that
they needed a safe
place to go, or have a
safe place to offer
(McHugh, 2015)
The hashtag became
inundated with
inspirational messages,
pushing down the tweets
citizens could actually
use to the bottom of
the stream

6. SocialMediaSurveillance

7. Screeningsocialmediaaccounts
Should the government be allowed access to the public's social media platforms
for background checks upon entering the U.S.?
→ In early 2015 the secret policy that prohibited immigration officials to
utilize social media platforms for all immigrants applying for U.S. visas was
renewed by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson despite controversy.
(Apuzzo,Schmidt,Preston, NYT)
→ Some may argue that it is an invasion of privacy for the government to hack
into our social media accounts.

8. → On July 27th 2014, Tashfeen
Malik and her husband entered the
U.S.
(Figure 1, 2015. CNN Headline.)
→ San Bernardino attacks occurred
on Dec. 2, 2015
→ Years before entering the U.S.,
Tashfeen Malik direct messaged
people over social media saying
how she wanted to commit jihad and
martyrdom.(Evan Bleier, Daily Mail)

9. → None of the messages were discovered
in the screening process.
→ The Immigration department has no
program that is known to screen social
media platforms.
→ Time concerns are not an issue
because our advanced technology has the
ability to identify these “red flags”
for the immigration department.
(Apuzzo,Schmidt,Preston, NYT)
→ National security has become a major
concern

10. → Former SU Student posts anonymous tip
on Yik Yak about harming others.
→ DPS and Syracuse police were able to
stop the individual and locate them
because of his social media post.
(Samantha House, Syracuse.com)
Another Example...
→ Two students were arrested at the
University of Northwest Missouri after
posting anonymously on Yik Yak about
shooting black students on
campus.(Alcindor and Stanglin. USA TODAY)

11. → What would it be like if a social media screening program existed during the
immigration process to the U.S.? Would these red flags have been found?
→ Where do you draw the line?
→ What is the threshold of people's comments that would allow suspicion and
call for further investigation?

12. Recommendations

13. PossibleSolutions
➔ It comes down to a question of ethics
◆ How far should the government be able to go? Once the access is
granted, it would be very difficult to get back
◆ How much do they have access to already?
➔ Should they be granted access, there must be guidelines
◆ Protection of freedom of speech
➔ More location based services (like Facebook check-ins)
◆ Separate streams by location
◆ City based apps

14. References
1) Figure 1, 2015. CNN Headline. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/14/us/san-bernardino-shooting/
2) Visa Process Missed San Bernardino Wife’s Zealotry on Social Media, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/us/san-bernardino-attacks-
us-visa-process-tashfeen-maliks-remarks-on-social-media-about-jihad-were-missed.html?_r=0.
3) Tashfeen Malik reportedly passed background checks despite questionable social media posts, Fox News, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/12/13/tashfeen-
malik-reportedly-passed-background-checks-despite-questionable-social/.
4) Evan Bleier, REVEALED: San Bernardino terrorist Tashfeen Malik openly supported violent jihad on social media yet still passed THREE background checks to
gain entry into America, Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3357799/Tashfeen-Malik-discussed-jihad-social-media-getting-visa-carrying-San-
Bernardino-shooting.html
5) Samantha House. Syracuse University officers charge former student with making threat.Syracuse.com.
http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/11/syracuse_university_officers_charge_former_student_with_making_threat.html
6) Yamiche Alcindor and Doug Stanglin, 2 suspects arrested in social media threats at Missouri campuses. USA TODAY,
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/11/some-at-u-of-missouri-on-edge-after-social-media-threats-of-violence/75559034/
7) Aryeh Savir, Tazpit. ynetnews App helps Israelis seek bomb shelters. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4353723,00.html
8) Molly McHugh. After Paris Attacks, Parisians Use Hashtag to Offer Shelter. Wired.com http://www.wired.com/2015/11/paris-attacks-parisians-use-porteouverte-
hashtag-to-seek-offer-safe-shelter/