Giant Oak
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Giant Oak |
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| Industry | Data analytics; AI/ML software; open-source intelligence (OSINT); social media monitoring |
| Country | United States |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Virginia, United States |
| Parent company | |
| Status | Active |
| Verification |
Verified |
Overview
Giant Oak is a United States–based data analytics and software company that markets AI/ML-driven screening and monitoring tools, including open-source and social media analytics products. Public reporting, FOIA-released DHS documentation, and federal procurement records describe Giant Oak as a contractor whose products and services have been used by DHS components involved in immigration enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).[1][2]
Boycott
Giant Oak is listed for boycott due to documented work supporting ICE/DHS immigration enforcement capacity through open-source and social media monitoring, aggregation, and analytics.
Public research and reporting describe ICE/HSI use of “Giant Oak Search Technology” (GOST) to monitor and analyze online and social media content, including for immigration-related targeting and investigative prioritization.[1][3][4]
Federal procurement records also show DHS contract awards to GIANT OAK, INC., consistent with provision of data analytics capabilities used within DHS immigration enforcement and related operational contexts.[5][6][7]
Because open-source and social media analytics contracts can materially expand surveillance, lead-generation, and targeting capacity, ICE List documents and, where applicable, boycotts companies whose work supports immigration enforcement operations and related investigative functions.[1][2]
Background
ICE and other DHS components rely on contractors for technology and analytics across enforcement and investigative functions. Social media monitoring and automated/algorithmic lead-ranking tools are routinely criticized for privacy risks, bias, and error—especially when used for immigration enforcement decisions with high stakes for affected individuals and communities.[1][8]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 [Social Media Surveillance by Homeland Security Investigations | Brennan Center for Justice] (Nov. 15, 2019)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 [Giant Oak Inc | AFSC Investigate]
- ↑ [Revealed: how US immigration uses fake social media ... | The Guardian] (Sept. 5, 2023)
- ↑ [Inside ICE's Database for Finding 'Derogatory' Online Speech | 404 Media] (Oct. 24, 2023)
- ↑ [IDV to GIANT OAK, INC. | USAspending]
- ↑ [CONTRACT to GIANT OAK, INC. | USAspending]
- ↑ [CONTRACT to GIANT OAK, INC. | USAspending]
- ↑ [DHS Social Media Monitoring FOIA Documents | Brennan Center for Justice] (Sept. 5, 2023)