The US Secret Service has issued a request for proposals to develop software able to detect and analyze written sarcasm with a goal of fully automating its social-media monitoring in real time. The intent of the software is, in part, to eliminate false positives and wasted time associated with law enforcement officers following erroneous leads that might have been the result of someone posting a joke or flippant message on social message. The goal of the US Secret Service and its social-media monitoring program are to find credible threats from people intending real harm. The call raised privacy concerns that such technology would stifle free expression among people that would fear that their sarcastic comments would bring them to the Secret Service’s attention. Some people expressed doubt that the technology would be effective. (The Washington Times)(Engadget)(TIME)(US General Services Administration)
