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As ICE activity and associated crackdowns on immigrants continue across the country, a common question is: How safe it is To post on social media about Ice views Or nearby raids, and many activists reported that their participation was Taken down or flagged To share information about ICE over the past few months.
If you’re worried about the federal government collecting your information, I won’t post anything at all. The feds can watch social media, and Agencies like the FBI are investigating Signal conversations In Minnesota, so don’t post if you’re not comfortable.
I’ve spoken directly with platforms like Ring neighbors And Nextdoor, where ICE is frequently discussed, to see what you can do. It turns out that you can provide in-depth details as long as you do so by following certain guidelines. Here’s how.
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Read more: Is it legal for the police to seize your home security videos?
Are posts blocked on apps like Ring Neighbors?
Posts that mention street names and other nearby locations are less likely to be removed.
When I contacted Ring about the Neighbors app’s policies regarding recent events and police raids (as well as… Reddit reports About posts being deleted), the company has provided helpful information about its specific policies.
I found out why Ring tends to remove certain posts or block them from spreading to neighbors. For one thing, posts about a general The presence of law enforcement can be eliminated. So, if someone says ICE has been spotted at Bell Gardens, their post will be rejected because that’s too vague. Or if there’s a post asking, “Hey, is there any ICE activity in town?” This will not be allowed. Other posts are blocked if:
- Explicitly obstructing law enforcement
- Expressing political opinions
- Assume immigration status or other types of bias
- Not related to local events
What is a safe way to post about police activity?
Circular posts generally allow for specific information but not broad discussion or accusations.
Posts that cite a specific location or images showing agents directly associated with an event are not removed. If someone said, “I saw ICE knocking on IHOP doors in Florence and Pico,” that would be permissible under Ring’s guidelines. Other permitted posts provide information about streets, addresses, blocks, cross-blocks, etc.
Blocking is not always immediate. Sometimes, posts that violate the guidelines are removed after the fact, either as a result of the post being moderated, the user being flagged, or the user being deleted. Customers can usually appeal moderation decisions for consistency.
When I turned to Nextdoor, another popular live app used to discuss events, a company spokesperson said something similar: “Our platform fosters discussions about local issues, and as such, our Community Guidelines prohibit public comments or personal opinions on national political topics.”
As long as it’s a local issue and users follow basic community guidelines (be respectful, don’t discriminate and use your real identity), posts should be fine.
What are the guidelines for posting on Ring Neighbors?
App users need to provide comprehensive details and descriptions in their posts, especially if they include a photo.
When I visit my Neighbors app, I see that — contrary to some reports — users frequently post about hearing sirens or police activity in their neighborhoods, Ask about masked strangers Or raise questions about law enforcement.
Posts like this make it clear: You He can You still post about security concerns on Ring Neighbors and other apps, even and especially when they involve police activity. You can also post about people you don’t know and strangers who come up to you, which opens the door (not literally) to talk about them Masked federal ICE agents wearing no ID.
In other words, what Ring said appears to be true. Explicit information citing current local events is permitted, preferably with address data.
“Focus on the behavior that raised your suspicions.” Recommend nextdoor. “Describe the potentially criminal or dangerous activity you observed or encountered – what the person was doing, what they said (if they spoke to you). And include the direction they last headed.” If you post with the safety of your neighborhood in mind, your post is less likely to be removed.
Finally, avoid posts that contain shocking content or violate someone’s privacy, as these are also red flags that could potentially lead to a ban.
Does Ring currently share information with ICE?
You may also be concerned that Ring will share your security videos with ICE or surveillance company Flock. While Ring does You have a partnership with Flukebell She states that she does not share any videos yet. If so, you should see a pop-up in the Ring app asking law enforcement to access your Ring videos. Agencies cannot access your private videos without your consent.
While the herd She says she only shares the videos with local law enforcementhe notes, The ACLU says the rules work differently.
Can users coordinate on apps like Ring Neighbors?
Ring tends to allow for conversations about what people can share regarding current police events.
This is a gray area, and it is difficult to know whether discussions will be removed or not. In my experience with the Neighbors app, many discussions about sirens and unwarranted police presence were left behind, allowing people to share their own perspectives and what they heard on the police scanners.
It is likely that the more such posts mention ICE or federal enforcement, the more likely they are to be removed, and if conversations move into discussions of national issues or general legal advice, they may be removed. But many people have reported success using apps like Neighbors Discusses Law enforcement raids nearbySo I don’t see any evidence of a comprehensive ban.
Groups using the Neighbors app to communicate important information or provide assistance should also be aware of Check neighbors signwhich is available to public safety agencies and community organizations. This tag makes it easier for Neighbor users to trust information and ads from specific accounts. Verified accounts do not have access to any additional user information.
Can customers cover my security camera or doorbell?
An NBC affiliate in Denver, 9News, Published screenshots From what you mentioned they were federal agents covering up a video doorbell during a raid. (Independent I mentioned ICE said it “does not comment on specific tactics, capabilities, or operational details.”)
It’s unclear whether such a move would be illegal under protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, but civil rights lawyers said it was. If anything like this happens, it’s best to save the recording right away – and remember that agents always need a warrant to enter your home.
What are my rights if I’m concerned about ICE raids?
Often the best response to a federal raid is not to respond at all, and to remember your rights.
Whether you’re concerned about federal immigration raids, curious about what law enforcement is doing, or just want clarification on your rights, it’s a good idea to consult American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigrant Justice Center. Here are some tips they recommend.
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Do not climb: In cases where federal agents or people who appeared to be agents came knocking, people did nothing and simply waited for the agents to leave. He remembers, Without a warrant, they usually cannot enter the homeIf you have a video doorbell, it can still record everything that happens. Avoid confrontation when possible, and don’t give law enforcement anything to act on. Remember, everyone still has the right to remain silent.
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If you feel your safety is at risk, call 911 or seek help from a nonprofit organization: Calling 911 is very helpful if you feel unsafe due to nearby events. You can explain the situation and get a record of the call. 911 is an emergency response service and is not in the business of reporting to federal agents. There are also local immigrant rights agencies you can contact to report ICE, and groups like the ACLU can usually point you in the right direction.
For more information, take a look at the latest news On what Ring allows the police to see (This is good news for privacy lovers), Legal consequences of recording video or audio in your homeAnd what You and your landlords can legally handle security cameras.