Showing posts with label domestic spying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label domestic spying. Show all posts
Monday, May 5, 2014
Monday, December 9, 2013
Tin Ears In The National Reconnaissance Office! Launch New Satellite With Irritatingly Evil Logo. Has Anyone Heard Of This Agency Before?
Intelligence Agency Reminds Americans With In Your Face Logo: NOTHING IS BEYOND OUR REACH
Given that Americans are overwhelmingly concerned about the Federal government’s surveillance efforts in the wake of leaks providing evidence that the National Security Agency has abused its powers and routinely disregarded privacy protections, officials at the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office appear oblivious of current events or are simply unconcerned about the image they present to the American people.
A spy satellite named NROL-39, launched by the office Thursday night, features a new logo portraying a sinister-looking octopus wrapping its tentacles around the globe. A tagline at the bottom of the logo informs: “NOTHING IS BEYOND OUR REACH.”
After questions about the logo intended message arose, an agency spokesperson told Forbes that the logo was not meant to have a sinister connotation.
“NROL-39 is represented by the octopus, a versatile, adaptable, and highly intelligent creature. Emblematically, enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide,” said Karen Furgerson. “‘Nothing is beyond our reach’ defines this mission and the value it brings to our nation and the warfighters it supports, who serve valiantly all over the globe, protecting our nation.”
If you were hoping to find out for yourself if the NROL-39 mission comes with any privacy concerns rather than taking NRO’s word, however, you are out of luck. The mission, like most all of the agency’s undertakings, is classified.
Nasaspaceflight.com reports that launch trajectory suggests NROL-39 is likely carrying a secretive payload that includes satellite for the agency’s radar reconnaissance fleet and a number of “nanosatellites” for scientific missions.
American Civil Liberties Union chief technologist Chris Soghoian offered the agency a bit of unsolicited advice via Twitter Thursday:
Conversely, such in-your-face reminders of the government’s surveillance-state mentality may be just what the American public needs to maintain vigorous opposition to the government’s abrogation of privacy.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
1984 Revisited--Can Government Spy On You Without You Knowing? Folks, This Is A Dangerous!
EX-OFFICIAL SAYS FBI CAN SECRETLY ACTIVATE AN INDIVIDUAL’S WEBCAM WITHOUT THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNING ON
The FBI can secretly activate a computer’s webcam to spy on an individual without turning on the indicator light, a former official revealed to the Washington Post in an article published Friday.
According to the Washington Post’s account of what Marcus Thomas — former assistant director of the FBI’s Operational Technology Division in Quantico — said, “The FBI has been able to covertly activate a computer’s camera — without triggering the light that lets users know it is recording — for several years, and has used that technique mainly in terrorism cases or the most serious criminal investigations.”
An FBI official told the Washington Post they have been able to secretly activate an individual’s webcam for years now. (Image source: Shutterstock)
“Because of encryption and because targets are increasingly using mobile devices, law enforcement is realizing that more and more they’re going to have to be on the device — or in the cloud,” Thomas added, in reference to remote storage services. “There’s the realization out there that they’re going to have to use these types of tools more and more.”
TheBlaze has previously reported on hackers using remote access tools to activate an individual’s webcam and spy on them.
This post has been updated to reflect that Thomas is an ex-FBI official.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
When Your Supporters Start Doubting You--You Have A Problem
President Obama is starting to lose support around the country. His latest loss is Van Jones, his former Green jobs adviser. For those who are not familiar with Jones, he is an ardent supporter of the President, however, after Obama's appearance on the Jay Leno show, the former adviser came out questioning the President.
We suspect that others will find Obama's statements as ridiculous and his support which already is at it lowest point, will fall even further. How far will it fall before he is pushed to take matters into his own hands?
Conservative Tom
Former Obama Advisor: President's Claim of No Domestic Spying Program 'Ridiculous'
Wednesday, 07 Aug 2013 06:04 PM
"If we don't have one now, I would hate to see us with one," Jones said Wednesday on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper."
"Everybody knows I love this president," Jones said, "but this is ridiculous. What we need to do is figure out how we're going to balance these things, not pretend there's no balancing to be done."
But what bothered Jones even more was his old boss' comment that NSA leaker Edward Snowden could have come forward to someone in government with his concerns that the agency was improperly collecting data on all Americans' communications.
"Well, hold on a second, sir," Jones said. "You are right now prosecuting more whistleblowers not only than any American president – (but) than every American president combined."
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