Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025
Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025 - Summary **What it would do:** This bill would require three federal agencies—Homeland Security, Justice, and State—to work together to combat criminal organizations' use of social media and messaging apps to recruit people in the United States. The agencies would need to assess the problem and create a strategy to stop cartels and transnational criminal groups from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and encrypted messaging services to recruit Americans for illegal activities, particularly those involving drugs, weapons, human trafficking, or smuggling near the U.S.-Mexico border. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies that would need to develop and implement this coordinated strategy.
Indirectly, it could impact social media companies if they're required to cooperate with enforcement efforts, and it addresses the threat to American citizens who might be targeted for recruitment into criminal activities. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. No action has been taken beyond its initial submission.
CRS Official Summary
Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025This bill requires 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. Specifically, the departments must 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.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.