Boston, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The Boston City Council has rejected a report from the Boston Police Department regarding its use of social media monitoring tools during the recent national elections. The refusal highlights concerns about transparency and compliance with surveillance regulations after the BPD delayed notifying the council about the tool’s use. An oversight board is set to review the actions to determine the appropriateness of the monitoring tools used and their implications on civil liberties and public trust.
Boston
The Boston City Council has formally rejected a report from the Boston Police Department (BPD) on its use of social media monitoring tools during last fall’s national elections and has ordered an independent review by an oversight board. The council said the BPD waited until June to notify the council about restarting the tools in February, a delay that prompted concerns about transparency and compliance with a 2022 city ordinance governing surveillance tools.
What the council decided and why
The council voted to reject the BPD report and asked an oversight board to evaluate whether the department used the social media monitoring tools appropriately. The rejection centered on the timing of the disclosure: the BPD reported acquisition and use of a tool known as the Chorus Intelligence Suite only in June, despite restarting use in February and invoking an exception for “exigent circumstances” to bypass prior approval requirements.
The Chorus Intelligence Suite enables bulk searches of entities across multiple social media networks to identify potential threats. Under the city’s 2022 ordinance, the BPD must obtain City Council authorization before using social media monitoring tools, except in narrowly defined exigent situations. The council said the late notice undermined its ability to exercise proper oversight and raised questions about whether the exigent exception applied.
Oversight board review
An oversight board composed of representatives from the mayor’s office, the City Council, the BPD, and independent surveillance experts will now review the department’s actions. The board’s role is to determine whether the BPD complied with city rules and whether the use of the tools respected civil liberties and community protections. The council’s action pauses formal acceptance of the report while that review proceeds.
Vote split and differing views on tools
The council vote was divided. Councilors who voted to reject the report included Liz Breadon, Ruthzee Louijeune, Gabriela Mejia, Kendra S. Jacob-Davis (Pepén), Ben Weber, and Erin Worrell. Councilors who voted to accept the report were Sharon Durkan, Ed Flynn, Michael Flaherty (FitzGerald), Ricardo A. Arroyo (Murphy), and Ricardo P. Santana. Some members emphasized the need to ensure the BPD has tools to monitor credible threats, especially with the upcoming national events such as the city’s planned 250th anniversary celebrations. Others stressed that timely disclosure to the council is essential for accountability and public trust.
Civil liberties and public concerns
Councilors and community representatives expressed concern that social media monitoring tools can be used beyond threat detection, including to surveil protests and nonviolent demonstrators. Critics pointed to past instances in which monitoring practices targeted public demonstrations and warned that similar uses risk infringing on civil liberties. The council’s decision to reject the report is intended in part to ensure a thorough review of what data was accessed, how searches were conducted, and what safeguards were in place to protect privacy and free expression.
BPD disclosure and claims
In its disclosure to the council, the BPD said it acquired and used the Chorus platform under the exigent circumstances exception ahead of the November 2024 elections. The department framed the acquisition as a measure to address urgent public-safety risks. Councilors raising concerns said the department should have informed the council sooner given the 2022 ordinance’s requirement for prior approval.
Context on City Council and recent controversies
The vote occurs amid heightened scrutiny of city government operations. Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson faces federal public corruption charges related to an alleged kickback scheme involving a hiring decision. The mayor and the City Council president have publicly called for the councilor’s resignation following her arrest, citing the importance of maintaining public trust. That controversy has amplified attention to transparency and oversight practices across city agencies, including the BPD.
Next steps
The oversight board will assess the BPD’s use of the Chorus Intelligence Suite and report back to the City Council. The council may require further disclosures, policy changes, or conditions for future use of social media monitoring tools depending on the board’s findings. Meanwhile, council members and city leaders will continue discussions about balancing public safety needs with privacy protections and civil liberties.
FAQ
What did the City Council do?
The council rejected the BPD’s report on social media monitoring and ordered an oversight board review to determine whether the tools were used appropriately.
Which tool is at issue?
The tool specifically identified is the Chorus Intelligence Suite, which allows bulk searches across multiple social media platforms for potential threats.
Why was the report rejected?
The council cited a delay in notification: the BPD said it restarted use in February but did not inform the council until June. This raised questions about the applicability of the ordinance’s exigent-circumstances exception and about oversight.
Who will review the BPD’s use of the tool?
An oversight board made up of representatives from the mayor’s office, the City Council, the BPD, and independent surveillance experts will evaluate the department’s actions.
What are the main concerns?
Concerns center on transparency, civil liberties, the potential surveillance of protests and nonviolent demonstrators, and whether proper safeguards were followed.
How did councilors vote?
Six councilors voted to reject the report and five voted to accept it, reflecting a split in priorities between civil liberties and public-safety tool access.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Boston |
| Action taken | City Council rejected BPD report and requested oversight board review |
| Tool named | Chorus Intelligence Suite (social media monitoring) |
| Key reason for rejection | BPD delayed notice to council after restarting tool use; exigent-circumstances claim questioned |
| Council vote | 6 rejected, 5 accepted |
| Oversight board composition | Representatives from mayor’s office, City Council, BPD, and surveillance experts |
| Relevant ordinance | 2022 city ordinance requiring council approval for social media monitoring tools, except for exigent circumstances |
| Related city issue | Federal charges against a councilor have increased scrutiny of council transparency |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Universal Hub: City Council Raps BPD on Social Media Monitoring
- Wikipedia: Boston City Council
- Dot News: Fitzgerald Blasts Wu Team Stalling Council Hearings
- Google Search: Boston City Council
- Bay State Banner: Surveillance Software Used by BPD Without City Council Approval
- Google Scholar: Boston City Council Surveillance
- Boston 25 News: City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson to Leave Office
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
