[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The DHS has replied that "Despite what some reporters may suggest, this is nothing more than the standard practice of monitoring current events in the media.
"[9][5] It will also look at trade and industry publications, local, national and international outlets, and social media, according to documents.
The plans also encompass media coverage being tracked in more than 100 languages including Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, with instant translation of articles into English.
These pilots were conducted to help fulfill the NOC's statutory responsibility to provide situational awareness and to access potentially valuable public information within the social media realm.
[16] In February 2012, the House of Representatives held a hearing with concerns to counter cyber-terrorism, as well as other acts of criminal activity, whilst maintaining the privacy rights of Americans.