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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 10, 2024 11:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Abby Major |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Oversight and review of social media monitoring by Pennsylvania State Police |
| For better or worse, social media has become the primary means by which many Pennsylvanians communicate with their friends, family and neighbors about their interests, hopes and concerns. But, unlike the pre-social media days where only those nearby were privy to the content of the conversations, social media interactions can be broadcast across the world. In this new technological paradigm, law enforcement is able to access the content of conversations that it otherwise would not have had access to. This raises substantial questions about the new reach of law enforcement’s investigatory powers, even when limited to social media conversations that are visible to the public. The governor has proposed to expand social media monitoring efforts at the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) as part of a proposed $1.5 million increase in the trooper and civilian complement at the Pennsylvania State Police. In order to ensure that Pennsylvanians’ privacy, civil liberties and civil rights are protected, I will soon be introducing legislation to direct the Joint State Government Commission to study the PaCIC to review its duties and the policies that have been adopted by the Pennsylvania State Police. This report will inform the Legislature of the protections that are in place and whether they need to be expanded or codified into statute, which is particularly necessary when the governor has proposed an expansion of social media monitoring by the Pennsylvania State Police as part of his proposed budget. I look forward to working with you on this important legislation. |