The UK is tracking social media to stop illegal immigrants from coming into the country
The UK’s Border Security Command says it now has a better understanding of how online platforms used in people smuggling can be monitored and potentially disrupted.
This comes after it commissioned the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) to produce a series of evidence-based reports to provide additional insights into criminal networks.
ACE conducted deep research into how organised crime groups are using social media to carry out organised immigration crime, and how this can be monitored and potentially disrupted using open-source intelligence tools.
In the UK, the primary focus of this irregular migration is the small boats crossing the Channel from northern France to southern England.
Criminals involved in organised immigration crime may act alone, be part of a small group or form part of extensive global networks. One commonality is the use of online platforms at all stages of organised immigration crime operations, including to advertise services, recruit and communicate with potential migrants. Online platforms are also used for communication between organised crime members.
Based on an in-depth literature review, ACE delivered an initial report that gave early indications of key points, trends, gaps and sources.
Full reports then synthesised several in-depth research elements. This included detailed evidence gathered from dozens of subject matter experts across government, industry, academia and civil society on how gangs are using social media and how social media intelligence can be employed to identify and disrupt this.
Case studies, including examples of online interactions as well as behavioural insights and analysis, were also created.
