Newly obtained briefing sheets from the U.S. Secret Service have shed light on some surprising revelations. The agency appears to have been monitoring a variety of websites, including some that historically haven’t been associated with violent political rhetoric. It’s been revealed that in addition to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the agency was keeping a watchful eye on accounts on OnlyFans and Pinterest, among others.
These revelations come as the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a government watchdog organization, obtained a briefing sheet from December 2020. The organization was seeking correspondence leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots. However, what they uncovered was unexpected.
The documents show that the U.S. Secret Service requested “additional checks be made during all shifts” and to alert posts that make direct threats or mention travel. Many of the monitored accounts on OnlyFans and Pinterest were private or inactive, and their usernames were redacted from the documents. This raises the question: Why would the U.S. Secret Service be monitoring accounts on OnlyFans and Pinterest?
OnlyFans is a subscription-based service known for offering adult-themed content, while Pinterest is a visual discovery engine for finding things like recipes and home decor ideas. It’s difficult to see how these platforms could be related to violent political rhetoric, which has historically been the focus of government surveillance efforts.
It’s also unclear if this practice of monitoring these websites has continued under the Biden administration. The briefing sheets obtained by CREW were from December 2020, and it’s possible that the Secret Service’s monitoring practices have since changed. When asked about these operations, the U.S. Secret Service declined to comment, citing their commitment to ensuring the “highest levels of integrity.”
While it’s understandable that the Secret Service would be monitoring social media platforms for potential security threats, it’s concerning that they may be monitoring platforms that don’t seem to have any direct connection to political violence. This raises questions about the extent of government surveillance and how it’s being carried out.
It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Secret Service has a long history of monitoring social media for potential threats. In 2018, it was reported that the agency had purchased social media monitoring software that would allow them to track individuals and groups on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
As social media continues to play an increasingly important role in our daily lives, it’s likely that government agencies will continue to monitor these platforms for potential security threats. However, it’s important that these agencies are transparent about their monitoring practices and ensure that they’re not overstepping their bounds and infringing on individuals’ privacy rights.
In conclusion, the recent revelations about the U.S. Secret Service’s monitoring of websites like OnlyFans and Pinterest are surprising and raise important questions about government surveillance practices. While it’s important for government agencies to monitor social media for potential security threats, it’s crucial that they do so in a transparent and accountable manner. As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential that we have an open and honest conversation about the role of government surveillance in our society.