The U.S. Postal Service utilized its internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) to surveil social media discussions and planning of protests during 2020 and 2021, despite scant public information on oversight or formal guidelines governing these activities.
- iCOP program monitored social media protests with little formal oversight
- Surveillance targeted diverse events including MAGA marches and racial justice protests
- FOIA efforts revealed sparse internal rules and lost emails about iCOP operations
What happened
The U.S. Postal Service’s internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) monitored social media content related to protest planning and discussion from 2020 through 2021. This included tracking events across the political spectrum such as the Million MAGA March, gun rights advocacy protests, Save the Post Office rallies, and Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Internal bulletins synthesized open-source social media posts but sometimes implied potential for violence despite acknowledging no concrete threats.
EFF initiated a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit in 2021 after Yahoo News revealed the program, leading to the release of numerous bulletins and heavily redacted email chains showing how iCOP was queried and used internally. The USPS admitted to renaming the program and ceasing bulletin distribution publicly but did not confirm halting the underlying surveillance.
Why it matters
The records indicate the Postal Service surveilled constitutionally protected First Amendment activities without clear legal frameworks or documented oversight, raising significant civil liberties concerns. Despite public statements denying targeted surveillance based on protected characteristics, detailed internal communications about monitoring public social media discussions point to potential overreach.
Moreover, crucial email evidence related to the program was lost after being stored on a damaged external hard drive, complicating transparency efforts. The Postal Service disclosed limited internal rules or guidance on iCOP’s use, leaving unanswered questions about the safeguards meant to protect individuals’ rights during such monitoring.
What to watch next
Advocates and policymakers will likely continue pressing for more comprehensive disclosures about the Postal Service’s social media monitoring programs and demands for clearer governance structures that respect First Amendment rights. The handling of missing records and ongoing surveillance practices will remain points of scrutiny.
The situation also serves as a case study in the growing role of federal agencies conducting digital surveillance on public speech and political activities, highlighting the urgent need for robust transparency, oversight, and policy reforms to prevent misuse of power while balancing security concerns.