DHS Scraps Surveillance Guardrails for Sexual Orientation and Gender IdentityIf you're able to violate the civil rights of one person or community, then there's no limit to it, one expert warns.
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Erin In The Morning.
By S. Baum , Erin in the Morning
Published March 3, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has scrapped privacy provisions which otherwise protected people from surveillance based on sexual orientation or gender identity alone ...
The updated policy manual "removes references to those characteristics in sections that set guardrails on gathering intelligence," according to the report. "The revisions follow President Donald Trump's Jan. 20 directive to scrap policies and protections focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion across federal agencies."
The policy now reads: "[Office of Intelligence and Analysis] Personnel are prohibited from engaging in intelligence activities based solely on an individual's or group's race, ethnicity, sex, religion, country of birth, nationality, or disability." Notably absent is mention of similar protections for the LGBTQ community.
The handbook formerly included sexual orientation and gender identity in this list, which would protect some members of the LGBTQ community from targeted surveillance that would infringe upon their constitutional rights.
"Intelligence activities" is a loosely defined term to describe any kind of information collection and analysis that the government could use to take action. In theory, this serves to uphold the rule of law and public safety. In practice, "intelligence activities" often violate the civil liberties of marginalized groups and stymie political dissent.-----------------------------
"Big Brother is Watching You" - George Orwell,
Nineteen Eighty-Four"Ben Rickert: The NSA has a $52 billion budget and the ability to monitor tens of millions of calls a second. You think they're not using it?" -
The Big Short"I have nothing to hide!" (Famous last words)
