In what capacity was it revealed last week that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin using Facebook and Twitter?

Answer: To issue terror alerts. The oft-mocked color-coded alert system is no more. Rather, only two types of alerts will be issued – elevated and imminent. And, according to the Associated Press, the DHS plans to, in some circumstances, issue alerts via Facebook and Twitter. The new alerts will also come with expiration dates in an attempt to make them more meaningful and relevant to citizens. The new system is set to be active April 27.