Homeland Security Mining Social Media For Signs of Bio Attacks

jjp9999 writes "Nextgov reports, 'The Homeland Security Department has commissioned Accenture to test technology that mines open social networks for indications of pandemics, according to the vendor.' This will kick off a year-long biosurveillance program, costing $3 million, that will log trends in public health by looking through public posts. This ties back to White House guidelines released in July that ask federal agencies to 'Consider social media as a force multiplier that can empower individuals and communities to provide early warning and global situational awareness.'"

Comments

Are we really that surprised?

[xystren]

As annoying as social media may be, it does provide sources of information... And people that use social media, appear so willing to disclose anything and everything regarding their personal life. So, why wouldn't DHS or health departments not want to use this type and source of information?

Yeah they're probably detecting a strange disease

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

Some sort of brain affliction that makes people distrust and hate the dept. of Homeland Security. I hear it's spreading fast...