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Trump's Truth Social — where users called for violence against FBI agents — notes in its fine print that it would turn over user information to the feds

Aug 16, 2022, 22:25 IST
Insider
A phone displaying Donald Trump's Truth Social app in the Apple App Store.Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance via Getty Images
  • Users on Trump's Truth Social platform threatened FBI agents after the raid on his Mar-a-Lago home.
  • But Truth Social — which touted its lenient content policies — would work with law enforcement if needed.
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Donald Trump's Truth Social — a social media platform designed to be a "inviting, nonpartisan 'Big Tent' of ideas" — was a hotbed of outrage after FBI agents searched the former president's Mar-a-Lago home last week.

Some users made threats against the FBI or vowed that a "war" was beginning. But anonymous posts won't offer much protection against possible prosecution.

According to the site's fine print, Truth Social will turn over user information in compliance with law enforcement — just like other social media sites.

In its "guidelines for law enforcement," Truth Social states that it complies with court orders to reveal user information, restrict access to accounts, or preserve posts.

The site also works with law enforcement on "emergency requests," where they quickly turn over user information when it appears there's an immediate threat.

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"If we receive information that provides us with a good faith belief that there is an exigent emergency involving a danger of death or serious physical injury to a person, we may provide any available information necessary to prevent that harm," the website states.

Truth Social didn't respond to multiple requests by Insider for comment.

Threats of "civil war," and violence against the FBI increased on sites like Truth Social after the agency's raid of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

Ricky Schiffer, the man who authorities said tried to breach an FBI office in Cincinnati before being shot and killed by police on Friday, had apparently posted violent messages on Truth Social and urged others to kill federal agents.

Truth Social's law enforcement policies are in line with the rules of other mainstream social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook.

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Both have dedicated departments for handling requests from law enforcement.

Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, told Insider that social media companies must comply with court orders to turn over user information, including private information like IP addresses or linked email accounts.

"If they get a court order, there's not much they can do about it," McQuade said.

A Pennsylvania man was arrested for posts he made threatening FBI agents on Gab, another social media site that markets itself to users seeking less content moderation.

The website turned over his user information, including his IP address, which led agents to him.

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