BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Police Department is eyeing software designed to scan social media and the internet for criminal activity and threats to the public.
The Boston Globe reports that the technology, used by other police departments, will search blogs, websites, chat rooms, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
It will help police determine where the content was posted and send alerts when new posts are made.
The Globe reports that police plan to spend up to $1.4 million on the software and to select a vendor by Dec. 5.
Civil liberty activists worry the technology could be a risk to free speech and privacy.
Police say the information is already public and the program will adhere to state and federal laws.
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