NYC mayoral candidate Scott Stringer proposes social media surveillance to ‘predict and prevent’ antisemitic attacks

Speaking to members of the Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Stringer outlined an initiative that would involve partnering with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and employing advanced technology to track social media activity, particularly during international emergencies involving Israel or Jewish institutions.

The ADL has developed what it describes as a “first-of-its-kind interactive and customizable map,” known as the “HEAT Map,” which allows users to examine specific incidents of hate, extremism, antisemitism, and terrorism both by state and nationwide.

“It would flag content that incites violence or signals coordinated threats. It would provide the tools for law enforcement, community leaders, and institutions like this one to act before tragedy strikes,” Stringer said.

The plan would be overseen by the New York Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management. Stringer, who is Jewish and a vocal Zionist, emphasized that the effort is not about targeting dissenting opinions or maintaining lists of people with opposing views. Rather, he insisted that “It is about surfacing potential danger before it becomes real violence.”

According to the New York Post, Jewish New Yorkers make up approximately 10 percent of the city's population but were the targets in over 62 percent of all hate crimes during the first quarter of 2025. Stringer addressed this, saying, “Major incidents in and around Israel set off a torrent of online hatred,” referencing the ongoing war in Gaza.

“Jewish schools, synagogues, and cultural centers face waves of threats. Our families – whether it’s young children at school or elders walking in or out of shul, are in the crosshairs,” he added. “The hate might start online, but it doesn’t stay there."