At a Glance
- Meta has begun blocking links to the ICE List website on its platforms.
- The site, founded in June, catalogs names of Department of Homeland Security employees.
- Users can still share the site on WhatsApp, another Meta-owned app.
- Why it matters: The move limits public access to a tool activists use to track immigration enforcement officials.
Meta has started blocking its users from sharing links to ICE List, a website that has compiled the names of what it claims are Department of Homeland Security employees. The site, launched in June last year, is run by a core team of five people, including its creator, Dominick Skinner, and hundreds of anonymous volunteers who share information about ICE agents operating in cities across the United States.
Background on ICE List
ICE List began as an effort to hold ICE agents accountable. Activists have long sought to track and record the activity of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, who are under DHS, because of ongoing concerns about their treatment of immigrant communities and alleged violence. The site went viral earlier this month when it claimed to have uploaded a leaked list of 4,500 DHS employees. A recent analysis found that the list relied heavily on information publicly shared by employees on sites such as LinkedIn.
Meta’s Blocking Action
On Monday night, volunteers reported problems with posting links on Meta’s platforms. By Tuesday morning, it was confirmed that links to ICE List were blocked on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. WhatsApp remained unaffected. The blocking messages varied across platforms:
- Facebook: “Posts that look like spam according to our Community Guidelines are blocked on Facebook and can’t be edited.” Hours later, the message updated to: “Your content couldn’t be shared, because this link goes against our Community Standards.”
- Threads: “Link not allowed.”
- Instagram: “We restrict certain activity to protect our community. Let us know if you think we made a mistake.”
Meta’s Response
When asked about the block, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone directed the inquiry to the company’s policy on sharing personally identifiable information. Stone noted that the policy prohibits “content asking for personally identifiable information of others.” He said the ICE List site does not appear to contain any of the information listed in Meta’s policy.
Impact on Users
The blocking of links hampers activists’ ability to share the ICE List site on the most widely used Meta platforms. While WhatsApp still allows sharing, its user base is smaller and the platform’s features differ. The move also highlights the tension between tech companies and groups seeking to expose government employees.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June | ICE List launched. |
| Monday night | Volunteers report posting issues. |
| Tuesday morning | Links blocked on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. |
Key Takeaways
- Meta’s action reflects broader scrutiny of how social media platforms handle content that may be seen as doxing or privacy-violating.
- The ICE List site remains accessible via WhatsApp, but its reach is limited compared to Meta’s flagship apps.
- The incident underscores the ongoing debate over transparency and accountability for federal law-enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
The blocking of ICE List links by Meta illustrates the challenges activists face when attempting to use social media to expose and hold accountable government officials. While the policy cited by Meta focuses on personally identifiable information, the broader context involves concerns over privacy, public safety, and the role of tech platforms in facilitating or hindering civic engagement.
