S.150 - Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025 (S.150) aims to combat the recruitment and illicit activities of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) on social media platforms and other online services. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State to develop and implement a strategy to counter TCOs' efforts to recruit individuals in the United States through these platforms. The Act also requires an assessment of how TCOs use these platforms for illicit activities.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would lead to increased monitoring and potential disruption of TCO recruitment and operations on social media. It would also foster greater collaboration between federal agencies, state and local governments, and international partners. The Act could also lead to increased scrutiny of social media companies and their role in facilitating criminal activities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced public safety by disrupting TCO recruitment and illicit activities.
- Improved interagency coordination and intelligence sharing.
- Increased engagement with border communities and youth to raise awareness of TCO recruitment tactics.
- Strengthened international partnerships to combat transnational crime.
- Potential reduction in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other illicit activities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased surveillance and monitoring of online activities, raising privacy concerns.
- Risk of disproportionate targeting of certain communities or individuals.
- Possible limitations on free speech and expression if the strategy is not carefully implemented.
- The act does not authorize additional funds, which could hinder effective implementation.
- Potential for the strategy to be ineffective if TCOs adapt and find new methods of recruitment and communication.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on combating criminal activity aligns with the government's responsibility to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for the common defence," as stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution. However, the implementation of the strategy must be carefully balanced with the protection of individual liberties, particularly the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Act includes provisions for protecting privacy rights and civil liberties, which helps to mitigate potential constitutional concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).