⚖️ EEF sues US Government

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EFF Sues U.S. Government Over Alleged Social Media Surveillance of Non-Citizens

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Trump administration, alleging that the federal government has been unlawfully monitoring the social media activity of lawful U.S. residents and visa holders. The group claims that AI tools are being used to scan posts from millions of non-citizens, including permanent residents, to identify opinions critical of the U.S. government or supportive of causes the administration disfavors. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, argues that such monitoring violates free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution.

Posts Critical of Trump or Pro-Palestine May Trigger Punishment, Lawsuit Says

According to the complaint, the government’s “forbidden” speech list allegedly includes posts that criticize the Trump administration, support pro-Palestine protests, or make light of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The EFF claims the State Department has already revoked visas based on such posts, citing its pinned thread on X documenting the cancellations. Non-citizens allegedly face penalties ranging from visa revocation to immigration detention. The plaintiffs include several major U.S. unions representing auto workers, teachers, and communications professionals, who say their members have been directly impacted.

Why Founders Should Care About AI and Civil Liberties

For startup founders—especially those building AI and data products—this case is a powerful reminder that technological capability does not equal ethical legitimacy. The lawsuit highlights the tension between innovation and surveillance, showing how AI tools can be weaponized against lawful residents and workers. As AI regulation tightens worldwide, startups in this space should prioritize privacy-by-design and transparent data governance. Doing so isn’t just compliance—it’s a competitive advantage in an era where trust and rights-based innovation are quickly becoming differentiators.

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