Social Media Goes Green...Card

Homeland Security. We know what it is, and even what it is supposed to do, but do we always know how they are doing it?  In a recent article on Hillicon Valley's blog, they actually discovered that the Department of Homeland Security is using social media to determine whether people are entering into green card marriages. 

The department even goes so far as to 'friend' applicants on these sites to figure out if their wedded bliss is legitimate.  Crazy. CRAZY.  Yes, but very smart. Because so many online users are driven by the need to connect with vast amounts of people, they seldom realize that their 'friends' are actually government detectives. Apparently, this is causing a major stir amongst those who already feel as if they are being watched by the government. Believe it or not, the government's actions are legal, but some citizens are arguing that it is just another way to keep tabs on the American people.  Perhaps, they have reason to be concerned?

The greatest worry about this avenue for investigation is that online postings may not accurately represent a user's offline life.  So it got me thinking--does my social media really reflect who I am in the day to day?

Okay, I have nothing to hide in terms of illegal immigration or phony marriages, but what I post doesn't necessarily reflect who and what I am.  However, I usually do not interact with anyone online that I don't already know in person.  Plus, I hate it when random people message me or friend request me--that is always an uncomfortable click.  I'd like to think I would be smart enough to know if a government official was investigating me, but I guess if they're a government official, they pride themselves in flying under the radar.

But it is not natives, like you and me, who are being observed.  My only question about this process is who are the immigrants (legal or illegal) being targeted?