Senators Markey, Wyden, and Colleagues Seek Answers on Government's Use of Artificial Intelligence in Social Media Screening

Strategic Insights -

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in sending two letters to Secretaries Marco Rubio and Kristi Noem, and the Government Accountability Office, expressing concerns about the government's use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to determine whether an individual poses a national security risk. The lawmakers are concerned that the social media screening of visa applicants and other noncitizens is a thinly veiled effort to discriminate against particular viewpoints and punish individuals for speech the administration finds objectionable.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawmakers are concerned that the social media screening of visa applicants and noncitizens is a thinly veiled effort to discriminate against particular viewpoints and punish individuals for speech the administration finds objectionable.
  • The use of AI and other automated systems to collect, process, and analyze social media information is a violation of free expression rights, infringes on personal privacy, and creates unnecessary processing delays.
  • The lawmakers request answers on various issues, including the use of AI, the number of visa applicants denied due to social media screening, and the safeguards in place to prevent bias in visa adjudications.
  • The Government Accountability Office is requested to investigate how the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are using AI technologies to label individuals as potential threats to the public, including automated analysis of content people post online.
  • The lawmakers express concerns about the potential for abuse and discrimination using AI in law enforcement contexts, where false positives can subject individuals to baseless investigation and detention.
  • The lawmakers are seeking answers on various issues, including the use of AI in law enforcement, the number of people subject to automated analysis, and the policies governing the use of AI technologies.

Statistics:

  • December 15, 2015,marked the beginning of the timeframe for which the lawmakers requested studies and analyses on social media collection, screening, and vetting programs at State or DHS.
  • The lawmakers request answers on the number of visa applicants or individuals seeking an immigration benefit who have had their application denied solely or primarily due to the social media screening and vetting process.
  • The lawmakers request answers on the number of people who have been the subject of an automated analysis conducted by DOJ or DHS personnel using AI technologies that infer people's emotions, attitudes, or intentions.

Sources:

  • Text (PDF) of the letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem (Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey, State/DHS Letter Text)
  • Text (PDF) of the letter to the Government Accountability Office (Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey, GAO Letter Text)
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