ICIAC 2011 Seminar stream 1A

Using social media as an intelligence tool (G)

Abstracts and slides

Social networking sites, RIPA and criminal investigations

Micheal O’Floinn, PhD student, Queen Mary, University of London

The recent UK riots have brought into sharp focus the ways in which social media can be utilised by police and end-users. In such times of turmoil, SNSs (Social Networking Sites) are clearly a double-edged sword, being used to organise clean-ups and communicate with loved ones in times of panic, but abused by those inciting riots in the first place. Individuals’ use of SNSs during the riots also demonstrated a general lack of any awareness that the police can access content on SNSs: some users published photos of stolen goods, and organised riots through SNS groups (e.g. Smash d[o]wn in Northwich Town). At the same time, the numerous prosecutions which have already resulted from use of SNSs show the ease with which police can take advantage of this naivety, not only to identify and arrest their suspects, but to prove their case in court to the criminal standard.

However, with an acknowledged lack of expertise in using SNSs amongst police authorities, and with suggestions as radical as SNS ‘curfews’ being imposed in times of unrest, now is clearly a critical moment to pause and evaluate the ways SNSs are being - and can be - utilised during criminal investigations. My presentation will draw on a co-authored article (written with David Ormerod) which is soon to be published in the Criminal Law Review (Issue 10 2011). It will explain how SNSs function and deal with a range of legal issues which emerge from the different uses of SNSs in criminal investigations: the difficulty of situating SNSs within regulatory definitions, particularly under RIPA; the legal barriers to requesting traffic data and subjecting SNS providers to interception orders; use of fake SNS profiles as criminal offences; potential privacy implications from monitoring and retaining public information from SNSs; when CHIS and directed surveillance authorisations may be required; the possibility of monitoring communications on SNSs constituting interceptions; and the potential for unintended extraterritorial effects. Following consideration of the numerous possible legal challenges to SNS investigations I will address the sufficiency of the RIPA regime for such surveillance activities.

Presenter's slides: ICIAC11_1A_MOFloinn

Using social media as an intelligence tool

Jude Ward, Intelligence Analyst, Cambridgeshire Constabulary

In response to the rioting in London, and the potential for similar disorder in our two major cities, Cambridgeshire Constabulary were required to tap into Social Media in order to monitor issues and engage with our wider community.

The Force’s use of Social Media to this date was focussed around community updates, pushing marketing messages outwards. It became clear that identifying threats and monitoring messages from the web would be a necessary function of the intelligence cell.

A process was designed to handle posts to Social Network sites which described immediate threats, and those describing planned disorder. The process incorporated intelligence research, corroboration and prioritisation and differentiated between the need for an immediate or slower time response. The outcomes included intelligence led resource deployment, community engagement, public reassurance and threat reduction.

The method of monitoring was determined, based mainly on technical knowledge of staff within the Intelligence Cell and Press Office, and fast time research of products and applications, and was adapted over the initial 24 hours to provide a more efficient response.

The results of this initiative were many – reassurance, public confidence, directing and prioritising deployments and minimising the opportunities for ‘would-be rioters’. One bi-product of the initiative was an increase in followers of our Twitter account @cambscops.

Moving forward, we recognise the limitations of this medium but can also see the advantages of having a solid understanding of Social Media for intelligence purposes. ‘User content’ provides a wealth of opportunities if coupled with the basic principles of intelligence: source, evaluation and dissemination.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary are currently gathering user and technical requirements for an embedded Social Media intelligence function

Jude Ward was ill so could not make the conference.  Her presentation was replaced at the last minute with:

Twitter, Policing and Crime Prevention

Aiden Sidebottom, PhD student, University College London

Presenter's slides: ICIAC11_1A_ASidebottom

Page last modified on 28 nov 11 09:27