The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is using various ways to make sure the country stays safe, including checking social media, writes The Guardian. While some people think this is okay, others are worried. One big reason for concern is that DHS continues to use fake social media accounts to look into people who want to move to the U.S.

The Policy and its Roots

A DHS spokesperson said that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) still uses a policy from the Trump administration. This policy lets them make fake accounts on social media to look into people who want to come to the U.S. This means that if you’re trying to get a visa or some other immigration benefit, someone from the government might look at your social media profiles using a fake account.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

Continuing a policy like this from a previous administration shows that it’s not just a one-time thing. It’s something the government believes is okay to do regularly. But is it really okay? It raises questions about privacy and fairness. If the government is pretending to be someone else online, how can we trust what they’re doing? It’s a tricky situation because while the government needs to make sure only the right people come into the country, they might be crossing a line when it comes to personal privacy.

What’s Allowed, What’s Not?

The DHS says that they only look at ‘public’ information, but they don’t give a clear idea of what that means. Does this mean they look at public posts or can they dig deeper? The policy lets them look at social media, but what are the limits? These are questions that still need answers.

Are There Other Concerns?

Yes, there are. Using fake accounts can be risky. Information on social media can sometimes be misunderstood. What if a joke or a comment is taken the wrong way? This could cause innocent people to face unnecessary trouble. Plus, it’s not only USCIS that’s doing this kind of checking. Other parts of DHS, like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are doing similar things when checking who can enter the U.S.

The Bigger Picture

This practice is part of a broader way that DHS and other agencies are using technology to watch people. But because the rules aren’t very clear, it’s hard for anyone to say for sure if they’re doing it the right way or the wrong way.

Final Thoughts

Keeping the country safe is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of personal privacy. DHS using fake social media accounts, especially for immigration checks, needs more thought and clearer rules. People should know what the government can and can’t do when it comes to looking at their personal information online.