AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched the iWatchTexas community reporting system to “protect the public from coercion and harassment by foreign adversaries”, according to a news release.
DPS said the feature will allow individuals to indicate their concern is related to foreign influence when submitting a report.
“Texas’ No. 1 priority is to protect the safety and security of Texans,” said Abbott. “Last year, I directed DPS to update iWatchTexas to allow Texans to directly report any harassment or coercion from hostile foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party. This new iWatchTexas feature will allow Texans to report any threats from hostile foreign adversaries who wish to undermine the public safety and national security of Texas.”
DPS said foreign influence threats may include assassination, assault, physical surveillance, harassment, abduction, familial intimidation, digital threats, passport revocation, consular services denial, unlawful detention and deportation, forced rendition and repatriation and INTERPOL abuse.
The news release said all iWatchTexas reports that indicate possible foreign influence will automatically be routed to DPS for further vetting.
“This new feature helps the department quickly address a wider range of homeland security threats facing our state, making us safer,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “It’s important to remember the feature is only good if we use it. So, remember to speak up if you see suspicious behavior or activity—including any signs of intimidation or pressure from a hostile government outside of the United States. This all adds up to addressing security threats both at home and abroad.”
