In today’s world, a few thousand dollars can really serve as a great incentive for anyone to do anything and if that means assisting an illegal migrant from entering the US-Mexico border, then so be it.
A new report has highlighted the role of leading social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and WhatsApp in helping smugglers hire Americans to dupe their entry across borders. These alarming findings were recently published by The WSJ and have really gone to show the dangers associated with the revelation.
It’s just all very interesting because you’ve got apps like the following outlined above snapping back and stating they don’t allow such apps to be put out on the platform. But obviously, someone here isn’t telling the truth because the WSJ has recently interviewed authorities on the border and that’s what they’ve got to say.
So the ban must be there but it’s getting so much simpler for these individuals to overcome it and use the popular strategy for their entry.
Meanwhile, one spokesperson for Twitter says the Journal failed to mention any form of specifics that would assist people in better highlighting the activity taking place. The firm’s transparency center failed to acknowledge the findings and felt it was an accusation that needed more evidence to be supported.
On the other hand, Snapchat’s representative says its teams handling aspects like Global Safety have pointed out working round the clock to prevent such matters from arising in the first place. They’re equipped with the understanding that such behavior can have and hence would take appropriate action against it. Still, they hope to work alongside authorities and investigate such matters so that abuse on the app can be prevented.
For now, Meta is yet to generate any type of response on the matter. But they do add that they’ve got the technology that would not only detect such posts but also highlight them and bring them to the center of people’s attention. The same goes for TikTok which may not be commenting on the issue but it does claim to ban such accounts that it feels would be responsible for such behavior.
WSJ claims that since such bans on social media content like this are in place, the posts do appear for a short while but they’re immediately removed or vanished. But even a tiny amount of reach can really make a huge difference.
The report further adds how Americans get instructed to pick up illegal migrants that recently crossed the border and entered the country. Border Patrol officials claim that the majority of US drivers caught in the act are as young as 18 or even below that age bracket. They admit to getting hired through these leading social media platforms. Moreover, the American attorney for Arizona further confirmed the findings and says that drivers say they’ve been hired through social media for the deed. And more than half of the cases are like this.
On a routine basis, so many arrests are made and one sheriff’s department in the state of Arizona said that around 73 of those involved were actually juveniles. And the consequences are pretty serious, depending on the type of offense made. Still, many are willing to risk their lives and continue.
One recent report spoke about a driver that was 41 in age and was caught in the act. He had been recruited through the Snapchat app and now faces 51 months in jail if he’s deemed guilty in the trial next month.
To prevent being detected and to ensure their behavior is done in absolute moderation, smugglers are really going the extra mile to disguise themselves. Think along the lines of making posts vague and not even informing the driver beforehand about the types of illegal activity they’re about to be involved in. But when they get the job, they’re willing to do it for some added cash.
This is awfully concerning for obvious reasons and really has people in a whirlwind. Authorities are trying to stop it before it’s too late but they need social media apps to support them and be more active in such behavior.
Read next: How to have fewer (and better) work meetings
A new report has highlighted the role of leading social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and WhatsApp in helping smugglers hire Americans to dupe their entry across borders. These alarming findings were recently published by The WSJ and have really gone to show the dangers associated with the revelation.
It’s just all very interesting because you’ve got apps like the following outlined above snapping back and stating they don’t allow such apps to be put out on the platform. But obviously, someone here isn’t telling the truth because the WSJ has recently interviewed authorities on the border and that’s what they’ve got to say.
So the ban must be there but it’s getting so much simpler for these individuals to overcome it and use the popular strategy for their entry.
Meanwhile, one spokesperson for Twitter says the Journal failed to mention any form of specifics that would assist people in better highlighting the activity taking place. The firm’s transparency center failed to acknowledge the findings and felt it was an accusation that needed more evidence to be supported.
On the other hand, Snapchat’s representative says its teams handling aspects like Global Safety have pointed out working round the clock to prevent such matters from arising in the first place. They’re equipped with the understanding that such behavior can have and hence would take appropriate action against it. Still, they hope to work alongside authorities and investigate such matters so that abuse on the app can be prevented.
For now, Meta is yet to generate any type of response on the matter. But they do add that they’ve got the technology that would not only detect such posts but also highlight them and bring them to the center of people’s attention. The same goes for TikTok which may not be commenting on the issue but it does claim to ban such accounts that it feels would be responsible for such behavior.
WSJ claims that since such bans on social media content like this are in place, the posts do appear for a short while but they’re immediately removed or vanished. But even a tiny amount of reach can really make a huge difference.
The report further adds how Americans get instructed to pick up illegal migrants that recently crossed the border and entered the country. Border Patrol officials claim that the majority of US drivers caught in the act are as young as 18 or even below that age bracket. They admit to getting hired through these leading social media platforms. Moreover, the American attorney for Arizona further confirmed the findings and says that drivers say they’ve been hired through social media for the deed. And more than half of the cases are like this.
On a routine basis, so many arrests are made and one sheriff’s department in the state of Arizona said that around 73 of those involved were actually juveniles. And the consequences are pretty serious, depending on the type of offense made. Still, many are willing to risk their lives and continue.
One recent report spoke about a driver that was 41 in age and was caught in the act. He had been recruited through the Snapchat app and now faces 51 months in jail if he’s deemed guilty in the trial next month.
To prevent being detected and to ensure their behavior is done in absolute moderation, smugglers are really going the extra mile to disguise themselves. Think along the lines of making posts vague and not even informing the driver beforehand about the types of illegal activity they’re about to be involved in. But when they get the job, they’re willing to do it for some added cash.
This is awfully concerning for obvious reasons and really has people in a whirlwind. Authorities are trying to stop it before it’s too late but they need social media apps to support them and be more active in such behavior.
Read next: How to have fewer (and better) work meetings
