Feds cracking down on social networking profiles

The next friend request you receive might not be who you think it is..it could be FBI. The Obama administration is considering sending FBI undercover to scope out social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The U.S. Department of Justice said undercover work would help "communicate with suspects," "gain access to nonpublic info," and "map social relationships." On the other hand, the IRS produced a document stating that it was ok for the FBI to review information of public sites, but they are not allowed to "misrepresent your identify (sic) or obtain information from a Web site using a fictitious identity to register." The problem is that if the FBI do plan on joining the sites for investigation that they have to be careful not to violate the terms of service. Most social networking sites say that you cannot not make a profile using a name other than your own or without permission.

The FBI logging on to social networking sites might help them reach suspects or valuable information. I don't how ever think it is good they change their identity. As they gain information on daily suspects and investigations, they do not change their identity for the sake of gaining information and the law. The social networking sites can be a form of research.