The chief executive officer of Hootsuite, a technology company based in Vancouver, is addressing concerns regarding a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to a U.S. government procurement website, Hootsuite is supplying social media services to the DHS under a contract that commenced in August 2024. The contract, valued at up to $2.8 million US, is between Homeland Security and Seneca Strategic Partners, a New York-based entity, for providing the “social media management platform Hootsuite and support services.”
The website does not elaborate on the connection between Hootsuite and Seneca, which identifies itself as a federal government contracting business wholly owned by the Seneca Nation of Indians.
A group named Democracy Rising plans to hold a demonstration outside Hootsuite’s Vancouver headquarters on Friday, urging the company to terminate its contracts with ICE and issue a public apology.
ICE has faced heavy criticism for its actions during a recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota, particularly following the deaths of two U.S. citizens in incidents involving federal agents.
In response to the backlash, Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky stated on Wednesday that the ongoing events are unjust. She expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and the fear gripping communities due to recent enforcement activities.
Novoselsky emphasized that Hootsuite has collaborated with various government organizations globally, including the U.S. government, for over 15 years. She clarified that their engagement with ICE does not involve tracking or surveillance of individuals. Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and against their terms of service, which they actively enforce.
While Novoselsky’s statement does not confirm the termination of the contract, she highlighted that the company’s focus is on serving its customers while upholding standards that showcase the responsible utilization of its technology.
It was disclosed in a release by the Department of Homeland Security last year that Hootsuite was exclusively employed to manage its social media channels for disseminating information to the public, emphasizing transparency and accountability. Hootsuite, established in 2008, employs approximately 1,000 individuals worldwide.
In a separate incident, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma urged Canadian businesses to carefully consider their involvement with ICE. This recommendation came after Jim Pattison Developments, another B.C. company, announced plans to sell one of its warehouses in Hanover, Va., to ICE.
A spokesperson for Jim Pattison Developments clarified that the warehouse sale was initiated due to operational changes, and the buyer being a U.S. government contractor was discovered later. The transaction is pending certain approvals and closing conditions.
