Meta's Efforts to Suppress Information About ICE Agents Take a Darker Turn: Blocking Links to ICE List on Social Media Platforms
In a move that has left many activists and critics alarmed, Meta has begun blocking users from sharing links to the ICE List website, a platform created by Dominick Skinner and run by a core team of five people along with hundreds of anonymous volunteers. The ICE List has been compiling information about DHS employees in an effort to "hold those employees accountable," but the Trump administration's pressure on tech companies to block crowdsourcing efforts has led to this latest development.
For months, users have shared links to the website without issue on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. However, starting last Monday night, volunteers began reporting problems posting links to the site on both platforms. By Tuesday morning, WIRED had verified that sharing links was blocked on all three platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
While Meta has not explicitly stated why it is blocking access to the ICE List website, the company's policies on sharing personally identifiable information appear to be at play. However, many critics argue that this move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to suppress information about ICE agents' activities online.
The ICE List project was launched last June as an attempt to counteract the work of ICE agents in immigrant communities. The site relies on publicly available information from LinkedIn and other sources to compile lists of DHS employees, with the goal of tracking their activities and providing tips to activists.
Skinner, the creator of ICE List, has expressed outrage at Meta's decision, citing his concern that this move will make it more difficult for activists to hold ICE agents accountable. "I think it's no surprise that a company run by a man who sat behind Trump at his inauguration, and donated to the destruction of the White House, has taken a stance that helps ICE agents retain anonymity," he said.
This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies, governments, and social movements over issues related to free speech, censorship, and online activism.
In a move that has left many activists and critics alarmed, Meta has begun blocking users from sharing links to the ICE List website, a platform created by Dominick Skinner and run by a core team of five people along with hundreds of anonymous volunteers. The ICE List has been compiling information about DHS employees in an effort to "hold those employees accountable," but the Trump administration's pressure on tech companies to block crowdsourcing efforts has led to this latest development.
For months, users have shared links to the website without issue on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. However, starting last Monday night, volunteers began reporting problems posting links to the site on both platforms. By Tuesday morning, WIRED had verified that sharing links was blocked on all three platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
While Meta has not explicitly stated why it is blocking access to the ICE List website, the company's policies on sharing personally identifiable information appear to be at play. However, many critics argue that this move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to suppress information about ICE agents' activities online.
The ICE List project was launched last June as an attempt to counteract the work of ICE agents in immigrant communities. The site relies on publicly available information from LinkedIn and other sources to compile lists of DHS employees, with the goal of tracking their activities and providing tips to activists.
Skinner, the creator of ICE List, has expressed outrage at Meta's decision, citing his concern that this move will make it more difficult for activists to hold ICE agents accountable. "I think it's no surprise that a company run by a man who sat behind Trump at his inauguration, and donated to the destruction of the White House, has taken a stance that helps ICE agents retain anonymity," he said.
This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies, governments, and social movements over issues related to free speech, censorship, and online activism.
just had the weirdest thought - can you imagine searching for info on something super sensitive like this stuff on Facebook? 
Meta's being super shady by blocking links to the ICE List website... it's like they're trying to cover their own tracks 
and silence anyone who speaks out against ICE agents. Skinner's right, though - activists need a platform to organize & hold people in power accountable! 
I'm all for transparency, even if it means some uncomfortable truths come out 
... they're basically shielding those DHS employees from accountability on their platforms. It's like, we need to be able to share info freely, especially when it comes to holding people in power accountable for their actions. This move just feels like another example of how the powerful can silence marginalized voices 
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Just saw this and I'm low-key freaking out! 
And now Meta is blocking links to the site, which could be a game-changer for ICE agents trying to stay under the radar. 
But what's even crazier is that only 12% of users believe that tech companies should be responsible for policing online discourse. 
It's like, what does it mean to have free speech online if we can't even share links to resources that help us hold those in power accountable? 
. I mean, shouldn't they be able to share info about DHS employees online without getting their accounts shut down? It's not like they're sharing anything super sensitive or private... just publicly available info from LinkedIn and other sources 
. This move feels like a classic case of the government trying to exert control over what people can say online 
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This is SO not cool! Meta's decision to block links to the ICE List website is like, totally unfair 
#FreeSpeechMatters #SilencingActivistsIsNotOkay
. I mean, what's next? They're gonna block all activist groups' websites too? 
it was literally sitting on the keyboard and swiping at the mouse like it thought it was playing a game 
anyway back to this ICE List thing... I mean, isn't it weird that our internet platforms are getting involved in deciding what information is "safe" for us? shouldn't we be the ones deciding what's true and important? 
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. What's next? Are we gonna see Facebook and Instagram start blocking links to Black Lives Matter websites too? 
. Can't we find a way to make sure everyone has a voice online without resorting to censorship or blocking info? 
. I mean, the ICE List was just trying to give a voice to people who are already being oppressed by these agents. It's not like they're sharing personal info or anything, it's public data from LinkedIn and other places. The fact that Meta is blocking access to this site makes me wonder what else is gonna get taken down online 
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who gets to decide what information gets shared online? it's not right that they're using their power to suppress info about ice agents' activities... this move is only gonna make it harder for activists to expose the truth 
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. I'm so tired of big corporations playing politics and suppressing marginalized voices 