As ICE activity and related repression against immigrants continue around the country, a common question is how safe it is to post on social media about ICE sightings or nearby raids. Many activists have reported that their posts have been taken down or flagged for sharing information about ICE over the last several months.
If you’re worried about the federal government collecting your information, I wouldn’t post anything at all. The feds can view social media, and agencies like the FBI are investigating Signal chats in Minnesota, so don’t post if you’re not comfortable.
I spoke directly with platforms like Ring Neighbors and Nextdoor, where ICE is frequently discussed, to learn what you can do. It turns out you can provide in-depth detail as long as you do it following certain guidelines. Here’s how.
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Read more: Is it Legal for Police to Seize Your Home Security Videos?
Are posts getting banned on apps like Ring Neighbors?
When I reached out to Ring about its Neighbors app policies regarding recent events and police raids (as well as Reddit reports about posts being taken down), the company provided useful information about its specific policies.
I found out why Ring tends to remove certain posts or prevent them from going live on Neighbors. For one thing, posts about a general law enforcement presence can get nixed. So if someone said ICE was spotted in “Bell Gardens,” their post would be denied because that’s just too vague. Or if a post asked, “Hey, is there any ICE activity in town?” it wouldn’t be allowed. Other posts get banned if they:
- Explicitly obstruct law enforcement
- Voice political opinions
- Assume immigration status or other types of prejudice
- Don’t pertain to local events
What’s a safe way to post about police activity?
Posts that cite an exact location or images showing agents directly connected to an event tend not to be taken down. If someone said, “I saw ICE knocking on doors at the IHOP on Florence and Pico,” that would be allowed under Ring’s guidelines. Other allowed posts provide information on the exact cross streets, addresses, complexes, blocks and so on.
Bans aren’t always immediate. Sometimes posts that violate guidelines are taken down after the fact, either as a result of post publication moderation, user flagging or user deletion. Customers can usually appeal moderation decisions for the sake of consistency.
When I turned to Nextdoor, another popular neighborhood app used for discussing events, a company spokesperson said something similar: “Our platform fosters discussions of local issues and, as such, our Community Guidelines prohibit broad commentary or personal opinions on national political topics.”
As long as it’s a local issue and users follow the basic community guidelines (be respectful, don’t discriminate and use your true identity), then posts should be fine.
What are the guidelines for posting on Ring Neighbors?
When I visit my own Neighbors app, I see — contrary to some reports — that users frequently post about hearing sirens or police activity in their own neighborhoods, ask about masked strangers or raise questions about law enforcement.
Posts like these make it clear: You can still post about security concerns on Ring Neighbors and other apps, even and especially when they involve police activity. You can also post about people you don’t recognize and strangers knocking, which opens the door (not literally) to talking about masked federal ICE agents who aren’t wearing any identifiers.
In other words, it looks like what Ring said holds true. Explicit information citing current, local events, preferably with address data, is allowed.
“Focus on the behavior that raised your suspicion,” Nextdoor recommends. “Describe the potentially criminal or dangerous activity you observed or experienced — what the person was doing, what they said (if they spoke to you). Include the direction they were last headed.” If you post with an eye toward your neighborhood’s safety, your post is less likely to be removed.
Finally, avoid posts that include gruesome content or violate someone’s privacy, as these are also red flags likely to lead to a block.
Is Ring currently sharing information with ICE?
You may also be concerned that Ring is sharing your security videos with ICE or the surveillance company Flock. While Ring does have a partnership with Flock, Ring reports that it isn’t sharing any videos as of yet. If it does, you should see a pop-up in the Ring app requesting that law enforcement access your Ring videos. Agencies cannot access your videos without your consent.
While Flock says it only shares videos with local law enforcement, not ICE, the ACLU says the rules work otherwise.
Can users coordinate on apps like Ring Neighbors?
This is a gray area, and it’s hard to know whether discussions will be removed. In my experience on the Neighbors app, many discussions about sirens and unexplained police presence were left up, allowing people to share their own perspectives and what they heard on police scanners.
It’s possible that the more these posts mention ICE or federal enforcement, the more likely they’ll be removed, and if conversations move into discussions about national issues or general legal advice, they may be taken down. But many people have reported successfully using apps like Neighbors to discuss nearby law enforcement raids, so I don’t see any evidence of a blanket ban.
Groups using the Neighbors app to communicate important information or provide help should also be aware of the Neighbors Verified tag, which is available to public safety agencies and community organizations. This tag makes it easier for Neighbors users to trust information and announcements from specific accounts. Verified accounts don’t have access to any additional user information.
Can agents cover up my security cam or doorbell?
An NBC affiliate in Denver, 9News, published footage of what it reported were federal agents covering up a video doorbell during a raid. (The Independent reported that ICE said it “does not comment on specific tactics, capabilities or operational details.”)
It’s unclear if a move like this is illegal under protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, but civil rights attorneys have said it is. If anything like this happens, it’s best to immediately save the recording — and remember that agents almost always need a warrant to enter your home.
What are my rights if I’m worried about ICE raids?
Whether you’re concerned about federal immigration raids, curious about what law enforcement is doing, or just want clarification about your rights, it’s a good idea to consult the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigrant Justice Center. Here is some advice they recommend.
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Don’t escalate: In cases where federal agents or people appearing to be agents have knocked on doors, people have done nothing and simply waited for agents to leave. Remember, without a warrant, they usually can’t enter a house, and if you have a video doorbell, it can still record everything that happens. Avoid confrontation when possible, and don’t give law enforcement anything to act on. Remember, everyone still has the right to remain silent.
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If you feel your safety is endangered, call 911 or seek help from a nonprofit: Calling 911 is very helpful if you feel unsafe because of nearby events. You can explain the situation and have a record of the call. 911 is an emergency response service and isn’t in the business of reporting to federal agents. There are also local immigrant rights agencies you can contact to report ICE, and groups like the ACLU can usually point you in the right direction.
For more information, take a look at the latest news on what Ring is letting the police see (it’s good news for privacy fans), the legal ramifications of recording video or audio in your home, and what you and landlords can legally do with security cameras.
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