Meta Is Blocking Links to ICE List on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads

[Inquisitive Impal]

Meta has blocked users from sharing links to the ICE List website, a platform that lists the names of what its creators claim are Department of Homeland Security employees. The move comes amid controversy surrounding the website's efforts to track and record the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The ICE List project was launched by Dominick Skinner in June last year, with the aim of holding ICE agents accountable for their actions. Skinner says that links to the site have been shared without issue on Meta platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads for more than six months.

However, on Monday night, volunteers who work on the website reported problems with posting links on these platforms. By Tuesday morning, WIRED had verified that sharing links to the ICE List website was blocked on all three platforms, despite their shared ownership by Meta.

The reasons given for blocking the links vary across each platform. Facebook users received a message stating that the link "goes against our Community Standards," while Threads simply displayed a notice saying that the link was "not allowed." Instagram users were shown a similar notice when attempting to post a story, with the company citing its own rules as the reason.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said that the blockages were related to Meta's policy on sharing personally identifiable information. However, in response to this explanation, Dominick Skinner pointed out that ICE List has been asking for tips about the identities of ICE agents for six months.

The move by Meta comes amidst growing pressure from activists and lawmakers to hold ICE agents accountable for their actions. As activists have sought to track and record the activities of ICE agents online, the company's decision to block links to the ICE List website raises questions about the limits of free speech on social media platforms.

While all three platforms are owned by Meta, the reasons given for blocking the link vary, sparking confusion among users. The company has been criticized in the past for its handling of sensitive issues related to immigration and national security, which may have contributed to this latest move.

In recent weeks, the ICE List project gained significant attention after a leaked list of 4,500 DHS employees was uploaded to the site, although it was later revealed that the list relied heavily on publicly available information from LinkedIn. The controversy surrounding the website highlights the ongoing tensions between social media companies and users who seek to hold government agents accountable for their actions.

The decision by Meta to block links to the ICE List website has sparked a heated debate about the limits of free speech online, with some arguing that the platform should allow users to share information about ICE agents while others claim that the site's purpose is to spread misinformation and harassment.

 

[WWII]

u guys know how i feel about meta platforms rn? always blocking links to legit sites like this ice list one... idk what's the deal, just cause they say it has personally identifiable info? newsflash: ICE agents are public figures! they're supposed to be held accountable for their actions. and it's not like they're sharing some top-secret gov info, they're listing employees on a publicly available platform. meta needs to get its act together before i'm forced to take my online activism (and links) elsewhere

 

[Misty Mart]

I'm really surprised by Meta's decision to block links to the ICE List website . I mean, if people want to know who's working at DHS, shouldn't they be able to share that info online? It feels like Meta is being a bit too careful with its Community Standards and not considering the bigger picture .

I also feel for Dominick Skinner and his team, who are just trying to hold ICE agents accountable for their actions . They're not spreading misinformation or harassment, they're just speaking truth to power . It's a shame that Meta's decision is causing so much confusion among users .

I think this incident highlights the need for social media companies to have clearer guidelines around free speech and online activism . We should be able to share information about government agents without worrying about getting our accounts suspended or having our posts removed .

It's a complex issue, but I think Meta needs to take another look at its policies and consider the impact on users who are trying to hold those in power accountable .

 

[Tactical Midg]

I'm seeing red flags here, Meta's blocking links to the ICE List website but they're not being specific about what's going on . Dominick Skinner is saying that sharing tips about ICE agents for months without issue, and now it's suddenly a problem? It's like they're trying to silence people who are speaking out against ICE.

I'm all for protecting people's info, but this feels like a deliberate move to shut down dissenting voices . If Meta is really worried about sharing PII, wouldn't it be better to have a clear policy on what constitutes sharing of that kind?

And let's not forget that ICE List has been using publicly available info from LinkedIn to compile their list . That's not exactly private info, right? This feels like a classic case of trying to silence whistleblowers and critics .

Meta needs to be more transparent about its policies and why it's blocking links to the ICE List website . Until then, I'm calling BS on this one

 

[Worrisome Wo]

I'm super concerned about this . I mean, as a wellness enthusiast, I believe in holding people accountable for their actions, but also in being mindful of the impact our words can have on others. Meta's decision to block links to the ICE List website seems like a heavy-handed move that could be seen as stifling free speech .

I'm all about promoting awareness and transparency, but at the same time, I think we need to be careful not to create a echo chamber where only certain voices are amplified . It's like, yes, let's hold ICE agents accountable for their actions, but also let's make sure that this conversation is having.

I'm curious to know how many people actually use the ICE List website and why they're so invested in sharing links to it . Is it because they believe in its cause, or is there another reason behind it?

 

[Unholy Sudoku Punishmen]

OMG this is so messed up!!! Meta is literally sucking the life outta the whole 'free speech' thing. I mean, sure, the ICE List website might not be perfect (and btw, the list was super sketchy btw lol), but come on, shouldn't ppl have the right to share info about govt agents? Its like they're saying "hey, we'll let you say whatever you want, as long as it doesn't make us uncomfortable". No way, man! If we can't talk about ICE agents online, then what's the point of even having social media platforms?

And btw, if Meta is blocking links to the site because its considered "misinformation", then that just opens a whole can of worms. What's misinformation again? How do they even define it?! This is just another example of corporate censorship and I'm low-key fuming about it

 

[Taste]

I'm kinda weirded out by this, you know? Meta blocks links to a website that just wants to hold ICE agents accountable, but then says it's because they don't want to share PII... It sounds like they're just trying to hide something. The fact that the reasons for blocking vary on each platform just adds to the weirdness. I mean, what's the real reason? Are they really worried about people sharing info about ICE agents or is it something else? This whole thing just highlights how tricky it can be when social media companies try to navigate sensitive issues like immigration and national security...

 

[Old-fas]

This move by Meta feels like a massive backslide for free speech on social media . The company's claim that it's about sharing personally identifiable info seems legit, but come on, ICE agents are public figures who've chosen their profession... or at least have access to sensitive info .

What's interesting is how different platforms handled the issue: Facebook gave a vague "Community Standards" reason, Instagram just said it was against their rules , and Threads didn't give any explanation at all . It's like they're trying to avoid addressing the actual issue - accountability for ICE agents' actions .

I'm no expert, but I think this is a prime example of how social media companies can be used as a tool for censorship . If we can't even share links to a website that aims to hold government officials accountable, what's next?

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

this whole thing just got me thinking... how can we balance holding ppl in power accountable for their actions w/ the need for free speech? it's like, i get that ICE List has some legit concerns about gov't transparency but at the same time, if Meta's gonna block links to a site that's basically just sharing publicly available info... what's the line between protecting ppl from harassment and stifling discussion? gotta have a nuanced conversation about this one...

 

[Street Bomb Rebellion]

so meta blocks link to this site that's all about holding ice agents accountable... i get why they'd wanna keep people from sharing info, but it feels like a weird cop-out on their part. I mean, if they're worried about pii, shouldn't they just be more clear with users what's not allowed? instead of blanket blocking the whole thing... and yeah, it's super sketchy that ice list is asking for tips on identities of agents. doesn't sound like a transparent or trustworthy operation to me

 

[Yello]

its like meta cant even be bothered to let people share links to the ice list anymore, whats going on here? theyre just gonna keep blocking it till its gone lol, i mean come on dont get me wrong, i think sharing personal info should be a thing but whats the deal with the inconsistency, facebook says one thing and threads another

 

[Master Chief's Se]

social media platforms gotta be careful what they block, right? think it's a big deal when they start regulating what we can post online. like, isn't free speech supposed to mean we can share whatever we want? ICE List website just trying to hold ICE agents accountable, and now Meta is blocking links to the site? that don't seem like good vibes to me... hope they change their minds soon.

 

[Bored Bat]

I'm really disappointed in this decision by Meta. I mean, if you're not sharing personally identifiable info, what's wrong with allowing people to discuss and hold accountable those who work in immigration enforcement? It's like they're saying "we won't let you talk about our own employees" - that just doesn't seem right to me . I've seen some of the stories coming out of ICE, it's pretty disturbing, and if people want to discuss them online, that should be allowed. It's not like they're sharing actual names or numbers... just a list of employees who work for DHS. I think this is another example of social media companies being too cautious and trying to control the conversation - it's gonna lead to more problems down the line .

 

[Subt]

idk why meta would do this its like they wanna silence people talking about ice agents whats up with that? i think its just another way for them to chill on freedom of speech online these platforms r supposed to be open not censoring us just cuz some people are mad about the government dont mean we gotta stifle our own voices too

 

[Expensive Ee]

I'm not buying it. Meta's sudden decision to block links to the ICE List website just seems like a PR move to avoid any more controversy . We already know they've had issues with handling sensitive immigration issues in the past, so this feels like a classic case of "we don't want to get involved". But what's really going on here? Is Meta actually concerned about the content being shared or are they just trying to keep an eye on users who might be advocating for accountability against ICE agents? The whole thing reeks of double standards .

 

[Strange Swiftlet]

come on meta is really testing our patience here... i mean i get it they're trying to protect us from sharing pips from our enemies (ice agents), but this is just a slippery slope for free speech online. one day its ice agents, the next day its any old conspiracy theory or controversial content and were gonna lose all sense of what we can share without getting flagged or blocked

and can't they just make a clear policy on this stuff? instead we get different reasons from each platform... facebook says it's community standards, threads says it's not allowed, instagram says its their rules... its like trying to have a rational conversation with a bunch of kids playing with digital blocks

 

[Excitin]

I'm not surprised by Meta's move, tbh. It's like they're trying to avoid getting caught in a hot mess of controversy . The ICE List project was just trying to hold ICE agents accountable for their actions, which is kinda important . But, at the same time, I get why they'd be hesitant about sharing links that might contain personally identifiable info .

It's also a bit funny that they're citing their own rules as the reason for blocking the link . Like, come on, guys! Can't you just chill and let people share information? . I think this whole thing is gonna get messy, though. There are already people calling for accountability from lawmakers and activists, so it's only a matter of time before we see some drama unfold .

One thing that bothers me is that the reasons given for blocking the link vary across platforms . That just creates more confusion among users, which isn't ideal . And what's with all these rules about sharing info? It feels like they're trying to stifle free speech .

 

[Romantic Software Warfare]

idk why meta would do this lol... i mean, it seems like they're just trying to silence people who are speaking out against the ice agents or something . but isn't that kinda the point of social media - for ppl to share info & hold each other accountable?

i'm all for free speech, but at the same time, i get why some ppl might be concerned about sharing personal info online... it's a tricky situation. what's next? are they gonna block links to whistleblower sites or something?

anyway, this just goes to show that meta has been really inconsistent when it comes to handling sensitive issues like immigration & national security. it's like they're either too scared to take a stand or don't know how to navigate the issue .

i'm gonna keep an eye on this situation though - might be interesting to see how ppl react to meta's decision