Trump: Social Media Companies Should Spot Mass Shooters in Advance

He wants them to make a system for spotting red flags.

Thought Crime

In response to the two mass shootings this weekend, Trump called on social media companies to develop tools that might flag potential shooters in advance.

In his speech, Trump didn't specify how that tool might work or whether it would lead to any action being taken against the people it flags, according to The Verge. It's a proposal, of course, that raises troubling questions about personal privacy, the role of private companies in policing, and could set precedents for how the legal system interacts with people who haven't committed a crime.

Brain Power

In his speech, Trump also provided the misguided talking points that blame the media and video games for mass shootings, per The Verge, then outlined his idea for social media monitoring.

"We must do a better job of identifying and acting on early warning signs," Trump said. "I am directing the Department of Justice to work in partnership with local state and federal agencies, as well as social media companies, to develop tools that can detect mass shooters before they strike."

READ MORE: Trump calls for social media companies to ‘detect mass shooters before they strike’ [The Verge]

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