We Say/You Say: Policing social media

Reporter Whangārei Leader

Hi Whangārei,

Three tools have been trialled or used by Police to search publicly available information during investigations, but they will not reveal which ones.

Some of these have sparked controversy overseas, including one tool that was used to track Black Lives Matter protesters or monitor electronic chatter.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has defended using these digital tools, and faced criticism for it, with digital rights groups worried online surveillance is escalating.

Auckland technologist Andrew Chen has argued police need to more transparent when deploying a tool and its justification.

Police said the 2020 stocktake was a "snapshot" only and was only revealing what it could to build public confidence.

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