Final answer:
The notion that law enforcement agencies cannot use social media to detect and prosecute criminals is false. They can use it as part of their investigations, subject to constitutional limitations like the Fourth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that law enforcement agencies may not use social media to detect and prosecute criminals is false. Agencies like the FBI and local police departments routinely use social media in their investigations. In the United States, federal agencies like the FBI operate under constitutional constraints like the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, yet social media monitoring is considered a legal tool when used appropriately.
Social media platforms do serve important roles in our society, providing arenas for speech and assembly. However, their usage also raises concerns about privacy and freedom of speech. Leaks, as stated, have led to debates about government surveillance.
When social media is used to compromise investigations or to spread hate speech and disinformation, law enforcement agencies and lawmakers face the challenge of responding without infringing on civil liberties. The case of an intern at a law enforcement agency posting compromising information online illustrates the repercussions of misusing social media.