EFF and Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Social Media Surveillance

Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration Over Social Media Monitoring

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a prominent digital rights organization, initiated legal action on Thursday against the Trump administration.

The case centers around allegations that the government is conducting surveillance of individuals legally residing within the United States.

Details of the Alleged Surveillance

The lawsuit asserts that the government is employing artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to monitor the social media activity of a vast number of non-citizens.

This monitoring extends to those present in the U.S. with valid visas, as well as individuals who have achieved permanent resident status.

According to the claims, the government is actively seeking out posts that express opinions deemed unfavorable by the current administration.

Examples of Prohibited Content

The lawsuit specifies that posts considered unacceptable include those critical of American culture and the U.S. government.

Expressions of support for Palestine, even in the context of university protests, and antisemitic viewpoints are also cited as examples.

Furthermore, content that attempts to justify or downplay the murder of Charlie Kirk, or that offers criticism of the Trump administration or its policies, is reportedly flagged.

Potential Consequences for Individuals

The EFF contends that the government is leveraging the threat of penalties against non-citizens.

These penalties may include visa revocation and even immigration detention.

Evidence Presented in the Lawsuit

The lawsuit references posts on the State Department’s X (formerly Twitter) account as supporting evidence.

Specifically, it highlights a pinned thread detailing instances where visas were revoked due to comments made regarding Charlie Kirk.

Plaintiffs in the Case

The legal challenge was brought forth in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The plaintiffs include the auto union, teachers union, and communication workers union.

Violation of Free Speech

The EFF argues that these punitive measures, alongside the “viewpoint-based” surveillance itself, constitute an unlawful infringement upon the freedom of speech rights of the unions’ members.

The complete legal document outlining the lawsuit is publicly available here.