National security

Pentagon Wants to Automate Social-Media Checks on Clearance Holders

The Pentagon is conducting market research for a planned 12-month “social media checks” pilot that would analyze public posts to help determine an employee’s suitability for Defense Intelligence Agency classified work.

The effort is part of a shift away from screening intelligence and military staff every five years, as is current practice. The program is meant to support “continuous evaluation” through automated searches of various data sources, including social media posts,DIA says.

The scope of this particular trial run would involve generating “social media reports” that provide “comprehensive and objective data” and expertise to carry out a “whole of person review,” in line with Office of Director of National Intelligence guidelines, states a newly released January draft statement of work.