Social media intelligence technology: Home Office funding
Home Office funding for the Metropolitan Police Service project to develop the use of social media intelligence technology.
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Details
FOI release 25996
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The amount of money budgeted by the Home Office to Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for the setting up/development of this ‘social media intelligence technology’ from the year of inception to the date of this FOI request. If possible, please provide a breakdown of money budgeted for staff training, staff hiring, purchase of technology, and any other costs.
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The amount of money each company involved in the development/running of this “social media intelligence technology” received or is expected to receive for this work.
We released the following information on 21 February 2013.
1.There was no actual budget set for this work. In 2012 to 2013 the Home Office made a contribution to the MPS in support of an operational trial of social media tools over the Olympic period. The total spend for this for 2012 to 2013 was £1.58 million. This related only to the cost of the IT tools themselves, which included elements of both hardware and software. MPS will need to be contacted for a breakdown of costs for recruiting and training staff.
As detailed in the MPS report of the August 2011 disorders ‘Four days in August’, this contribution supported the MPS in enhancing their ability to keep pace with the increased use of open source social media for publically available postings. This built on lessons learned from the August 2011 disorders in the report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) entitled ‘The rules of engagement: a review of the August 2011 disorders’ and the recommendation that such a resource be made available in time for the Olympics.
- Funding provided to the private companies involved in the trial totalled £1.58 million.The payment was for IT tools so there is no breakdown of payment to the companies.