# What the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act Actually Does

This bill directs federal agencies to develop a plan to stop criminal cartels from using social media and online platforms to recruit people in the United States. Specifically, it targets transnational criminal organizations—groups that operate across borders and engage in drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and other serious crimes. The bill focuses on how these organizations use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Discord, gaming services, and similar apps to find and recruit Americans to help with their illegal operations.

The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the State Department to first study the problem. Within six months, they need to assess how cartels are currently using social media to recruit people in the U.S., what specific platforms they're targeting, and what efforts are already underway to combat this. Then, within a year, these agencies must create a comprehensive national strategy to address the issue. This strategy needs to include better coordination between federal agencies, recommendations for how social media companies can voluntarily report recruitment attempts, and plans to increase intelligence gathering on cartel recruitment tactics.

The bill also emphasizes protecting young people in border communities through outreach and education about cartel recruitment tactics and the dangers of getting involved. Importantly, it includes safeguards to ensure that law enforcement focuses on the cartels doing the recruiting rather than targeting individuals who might be recruited, and it requires protections for people's privacy rights and civil liberties throughout the effort. The agencies must report back to Congress every six months for five years on their progress, and civil rights officials must assess whether the strategy is being implemented without violating people's constitutional rights.

Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

Ciscomani, Juan

Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025This bill requires&nbsp;the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to combat the use of social media by transnational criminal organizations to recruit individuals in the United States for illicit activities.&nbsp;Specifically, the departments must&nbsp;jointly assess and implement a strategy to combat the use of social media platforms, messaging services, and other interactive digital platforms by these organizations to recruit individuals to engage in or support unlawful activities in the United States, Mexico, or otherwise near a U.S. international border.