About

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, more commonly known by its initials FBI, is the primary federal law enforcement agency of the United States. Online, it has been subject to numerous controversies regarding violations of American citizens right to privacy. As a result, it is often referenced in memes about spying on internet users, raiding their homes and arresting them for illegal online activity or having unpopular opinions.

Online History

The FBI has maintained an official online presence since at least October 22, 1996.^[1] In November 2008, that presence expanded to include a Twitter account. On November 25th, the FBI published its first tweet (shown below). As of February 26th, 2018 the Twitter account has 2.18 million followers and has sent out 10.4 thousand tweets.^[2] Since at least November 10th, 2010, the FBI has also maintained a Facebook page which has 2 million likes and 2 million followers as of February 26th, 2018.^[3]

Reputation

The FBI has been the butt of many jokes online, with various memes that poke fun at the perceived notion that they constantly spy on internet users and will raid their homes and arrest them if they post, look at or search for anything illegal. This likely stems from the their arrest of prominent members of hacking groups such as Anonymous, Lulzsec and UGNazi as well as their searches and seizures of websites such as controversial online marketplace Silk Road and child pornography website Playpen.

Highlights

FBI vs. Apple

The F.B.I. vs. Apple is an ongoing dispute between Apple, Inc. and the United States Department of Justice in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for Apple to create a method by which security features tied to version 8 of the iOS operating system could be bypassed by investigators attempting to gather data for law enforcement activities. Apple has opposed the official order, saying that creating the bypass (often referred to as a "backdoor") would negate the safety of the iPhone and set a dangerous anti-privacy precedent.

Geek Squad Informants

On March 6th, 2018, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reported that since as early as September 2008, the FBI has been using Best Buy's electronic repair team, the Geek Squad, as paid informants.^[5] According to the EFF, an FBI memo from September 2008 indicates that a Best Buy hosted a meeting for the FBI's "Cyber Working Group." The memo details how FBI agents were given a tour of Best Buy's repair facility in Louisville, Kentucky and has since "maintained close liaison with the Geek Squad’s management in an effort to glean case initiations and to support the division’s Computer Intrusion and Cyber Crime programs."^[6] The EFF alleges that this could be a violation of customers' fourth amendment rights.

In 2017, the EFF Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to learn how the FBI acquired information from the Geek Squad and what the process for flagging illegal activity entailed. The report states that FBI agents would "show up, review the images or video and determine whether they believe they are illegal content." The EFF began its investigation after a Geek Squad employee alerted the FBI to a photograph of a naked child on a customer's computer.^[7] The charges were eventually dropped, but the Geek Squad employee was paid $500 as an "FBI informant."

In a statement to ZDNet,^[8] Best Buy said:

"As we said more than a year ago, our Geek Squad repair employees discover what appears to be child pornography on customers' computers nearly 100 times a year. Our employees do not search for this material; they inadvertently discover it when attempting to confirm we have recovered lost customer data.

We have a moral and, in more than 20 states, a legal obligation to report these findings to law enforcement. We share this policy with our customers in writing before we begin any repair.

As a company, we have not sought or received training from law enforcement in how to search for child pornography. Our policies prohibit employees from doing anything other than what is necessary to solve the customer's problem. In the wake of these allegations, we have redoubled our efforts to train employees on what to do -- and not do -- in these circumstances.

We have learned that four employees may have received payment after turning over alleged child pornography to the FBI. Any decision to accept payment was in very poor judgement and inconsistent with our training and policies. Three of these employees are no longer with the company and the fourth has been reprimanded and reassigned."

Related memes

4Chan Party Van

4chan Party Van is a slang term for FBI agents. By either referring to the van or posting an image macro about it, a user is pointing out to another that the FBI may have noticed the illegal or questionable content of their post and are on their way to arrest them. One of the main reasons for it is that “Party Van”, when read backwards, says “Navy Trap”.^[4]

Why Is the FBI Here?

“Why Is the FBI Here?” is a series of images featuring screenshots of various Google searches with a pop-up text message notification from a father asking “Why is the FBI Here?”, suggesting that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation had been alerted to the search query.

Agent Hitler, FBI

Agent Hitler, FBI refers to a series of reaction images and image macros featuring a screenshot from the Australian comedy television series Danger 5 in which the character Adolf Hitler holds up a badge and says, “Agent Hitler, FBI.”

Government Agent Watching Me

Government Agent Watching Me refers to a character referenced in jokes in which a person engages in conversation with a government agent spying on them through either their webcam or smartphone. Rather than sinister, the relationship between the agent and the user is usually sympathetic and emotionally supportive.

Search interest

External references