Platforms bend over backward to help DHS censor ICE critics, advocates say

Here's something that might surprise you — big tech platforms are reportedly bending over backward to help the Department of Homeland Security censor critics of ICE. According to Ashley Belanger in TechCrunch, pressure is mounting on these companies to block or remove content that exposes or criticizes ICE operations. Advocates argue that government officials, like Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, are coercing platforms into silencing voices — sometimes even threatening users’ safety by exposing personal info. And get this — despite knowing they could refuse these demands without a court order, many platforms are caving. A lawsuit filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), as Ashley reports, claims that this isn’t just about moderation — it's about controlling what the public can see, hear, or say about ICE. So what does this actually mean for free speech online? Well, it’s a clear sign that tech companies might be more influenced by government pressure than we’d like to think. Keep an eye on this space — things are definitely shifting.