7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
1/11
Department of Homeland Security forced to release list following freedom ofinformation requestAgency insists it only looks for evidence of genuine threats to the U.S. and not forsigns of general dissent
By Daniel Miller
PUBLISHED: 04:32 EST, 26 May 2012 | UPDATED: 12:46 EST, 26 May 2012
Revealing: A list of keywords used by government analysts to scour the internet forevidence of threats to the U.S. has been released under the Freedom of Information Act
The Department of Homeland Security has been forced to release a list of keywords and phrases it uses tomonitor social networking sites and online media for signs of terrorist or other threats against the U.S.
The intriguing the list includes obvious choices such as 'attack', 'Al Qaeda', 'terrorism' and 'dirty bomb'alongside dozens of seemingly innocent words like 'pork', 'cloud', 'team' and 'Mexico'.
Released under a freedom of information request, the information sheds new light on how governmentanalysts are instructed to patrol the internet searching for domestic and external threats.
The words are included in the department's 2011 ' Analyst's Desktop Binder ' used by workers at their NationalOperations Center which instructs workers to identify 'media reports that reflect adversely on DHS and
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
2/11
response activities'.
Department chiefs were forced to release the manual following a House hearing over documents obtainedthrough a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit which revealed how analysts monitor social networks and mediaorganisations for comments that 'reflect adversely' on the government.
However they insisted the practice was aimed not at policing the internet for disparaging remarks about thegovernment and signs of general dissent, but to provide awareness of any potential threats.
As well as terrorism, analysts are instructed to search for evidence of unfolding natural disasters, public healththreats and serious crimes such as mall/school shootings, major drug busts, illegal immigrant busts.
The list has been posted online by the Electronic Privacy Information Center - a privacy watchdog group whofiled a request under the Freedom of Information Act before suing to obtain the release of the documents.
In a letter to the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counter-terrorism and Intelligence, the centredescribed the choice of words as 'broad, vague and ambiguous'.
Scroll down for full list
Threat detection: Released under a freedom of information request, the information
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
3/11
sheds new light on how government analysts are instructed to patrol the internetsearching for domestic and external threats
They point out that it includes 'vast amounts of First Amendment protected speech that is entirely unrelated tothe Department of Homeland Security mission to protect the public against terrorism and disasters.'
A senior Homeland Security official told the Huffington Post that the manual 'is a starting point, not theendgame' in maintaining situational awareness of natural and man-made threats and denied that thegovernment was monitoring signs of dissent.
However the agency admitted that the language used was vague and in need of updating.
Spokesman Matthew Chandler told website: 'To ensure clarity, as part of ... routine compliance review, DHSwill review the language contained in all materials to clearly and accurately convey the parameters andintention of the program.'
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE: THE LIST OF KEYWORDS IN FULL
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
4/11
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
5/11
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
6/11
MOST READ NEWS
Previous
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
7/11
123Next
Pictured: The naked man who ate the face off victim while...
Revealed: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you...
Breakthrough in cold case: FBI probe 'incriminating video'...
'I'm a tattoo tourist': British woman travels to New York to...
Yours for just 2.5million the magnificent 48-room...
On a wing and a prayer: The extraordinary hanging...
Traffic jam at 30,000 feet: Chilling photo shows bottleneck...
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
8/11
'Hello. Whoa. Wow, my mind is blown': Flesh-eating bacteria...
You're a war criminal! Protester bursts into courtroom as...
Revealed: History's hidden gay couples whose 'outlaw...
Lost in translation: The hilarious foreign signs that...
'They're bullies and they treat their women like crap': One...
Comments (174)
NewestOldestBest ratedWorst rated
View all
America: Land of the Free and Home of the Red/Islamic terrorist under every bed !
- Ishkandar, London, 26/5/2012 22:24
Click to rate Rating 619
Report abuse
Muppets! Anyone planning dirty deeds will code their intentions. What a waste of time and money. George Orwell was so correct.
- Rick, Cuiaba Brasil, 26/5/2012 22:19
Click to rate Rating 1142
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
1 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
9/11
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
10/11
- Sacha, here and there, 26/5/2012 22:07
Click to rate Rating 607
Report abuse
Pork cloud and Mexico. Come and get me.
- Ex Tory voter (but never again), UK, 26/5/2012 22:00
Click to rate Rating 859
Report abuse
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Joe -II- JoeWarRoomPodcastS
www.WarRoomPodca
Talk RadioLooking For TalkRadio? Find ItNearby WithLocal.com!Local.com
The IntelligenceNewsYour Source ForU.S. Defense andIntelligence News!www.TheIntelligenceN
GTSO Hot MarketPick
Rising Demand,Limited Resources- Stock CouldSoar, Buy Now!www.OTCStockPick.c
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...
11 5/29/2012 1
7/31/2019 Hundreds of Words to Avoid Using Online if You Don't Want the Government Spying on You
11/11
Associated Newspapers Ltd
EALED: Hundreds of words to avoid using online if you don't want... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150281/REVEALED-Hundre...