FBI seeks social media monitoring tool

In a move that's unlikely to sit well with privacy advocates, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun scouting for a tool that will allow it to gather and mine data from social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

The goal is to use the tool to keep on top of breaking events, incidents and emerging threats, the agency said in a recent Request for Information (RFI) from IT vendors. The FBI said it's seeking a "secure, lightweight web application portal using mashup technology." According to the RFI document, "The application must have the ability to rapidly assemble critical open source information and intelligence that will allow [the FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center] to quickly vet, identity and geo-locate" potential threats to the US.