DHS Reading Social Media During Olympics

The real-time information on sites such as the Drudge Report, the Huffington Post, Twitter, Google and the Blotter makes a good reference source for security officials, particularly during an international event. Much as U.S. officials used social media to successfully rescue a person trapped under the rubble after the Haiti earthquake in January, they are now monitoring the Internet to threats in Vancouver.

In an article on the ABC News website, Jason Ryan says the Department of Homeland Security will monitor comments and posts on Twitter, and other social media and websites, for information on possible terror threats during the Olympics.

“One official told ABC News that monitoring the web sites during an emergency is like watching ‘a canary in a coal mine,’ since social media sites can have real-time information,” Ryan writes. “The official said the raw information that is available on the sites can help first responders and law enforcement officials make quick assessments to help in their response to events.”

To read the ABC News article, please click here: