NSA Whistle-blower Ed Snowden

[cupper]

Not until he ends up in some third world socialist workers utopia wondering why he ever decided to lift the veil. :nod:

Or the three letter agencies figure out a way to put a drone into Russian airspace and fry his butt. >

 

[a_majoor]

While Snowdon is undoubtedly enjoying his stay with the FIS, I can see this story sending sales of disposable cell phones through the roof. On a more practical note, alternative means of communication will flourish because of this:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130723/12395923907/even-powering-down-cell-phone-cant-keep-nsa-tracking-its-location.shtml

Even Powering Down A Cell Phone Can't Keep The NSA From Tracking Its Location
from the making-a-strong-case-for-Snowden's-fridge-logic dept

We know how much information the NSA can grab in terms of cell phone usage -- namely, calls made and received and length of conversations, along with phone and phone card metadata like IMSI and IMEI numbers. It can even grab location data, although for some reason, it claims it never does. (No matter, plenty of law enforcement agencies like gathering location data, so it's not like that information is going to waste [bleak approximation of laughter]).

According to Ryan Gallagher at Slate, the NSA, along with other agencies, are able to something most would feel to be improbable, if not impossible: track the location of cell phones even if they're turned off.

On Monday, the Washington Post published a story focusing on how massively the NSA has grown since the 9/11 attacks. Buried within it, there was a small but striking detail: By September 2004, the NSA had developed a technique that was dubbed “The Find” by special operations officers. The technique, the Post reports, was used in Iraq and “enabled the agency to find cellphones even when they were turned off.” This helped identify “thousands of new targets, including members of a burgeoning al-Qaeda-sponsored insurgency in Iraq,” according to members of the special operations unit interviewed by the Post.

Normally, turning a cell phone off cuts the connection to towers, effectively taking it off the grid and making it only traceable to the last point it was connected. The Post article doesn't explain exactly how the NSA accomplishes it, but other incidents over the past half-decade offer a few indications of how this might be done.

In 2006, it was reported that the FBI had deployed spyware to infect suspects’ mobile phones and record data even when they were turned off... In 2009, thousands of BlackBerry users in the United Arab Emirates were targeted with spyware that was disguised as a legitimate update. The update drained users’ batteries and was eventually exposed by researchers, who identified that it had apparently been designed by U.S. firm SS8, which sells “lawful interception” tools to help governments conduct surveillance of communications.

The FBI's use, in which cell phones' microphones were remotely activated to record conversations (even with the phones turned off), probably had some bearing on Snowden's request that journalists power down their phones and place them in the fridge.

According to Gallagher, the NSA may be using mass updates to infect phones of targets overseas (and presumably, any "non-targets" applying the same faux update). This would be difficult, but not impossible, and considering what we've learned about the NSA's far-reaching surveillance net, certainly not implausible. A couple of details in support of that theory:

First, two telcos that provide service to millions of cell phone users are known to be overly cooperative with intelligence agencies. You may recall the fact that Verizon and AT&T notably did not sign the collective letter asking the government to allow affected companies to release information on government requests for data. Given this background, it's not unimaginable that Verizon and AT&T would accommodate the NSA (and FBI) if it wished to use their update systems to push these trojans.

Add to this the fact that Microsoft and others have allowed intelligence agencies early access to security flaws, allowing them to exploit these for a certain length of time before informing the public and patching the holes. Add these two together and you've got the means and the opportunity to serve snooping malware to millions of unsuspecting cell phone users.

Sparing usage, properly targeted isn't really an issue. But if updates containing spyware have been pushed to the thousands of non-targeted individuals just to ensure the targets are included, it becomes more problematic, and the track record of the two agencies who have used this technology is far from pristine.

 

[Inquisitor]

Regarding the previous post. I would imagine that any semi-competent terrorist would assume that they were under surve3illance at all times. OBL and his total disconnect from "The cloud" being a good example.

It seems now that the bad guys are aware of this programmes like NSA surveillance are likely subject to diminishing returns.  Now that congress has voted to cointinue to fund the programme, I suggest that one of the main purposes is to continue the flow of corporate welfare to companies like Booz-Allen-Hamilton.  I may be wrong but one aspect I find especially ironic, if true,  is that the aforementioned firm is owned by a company in the mid-east.

I am reminded of a book dating from the 80's titled "The Threat" the detailed the efforts of the denizens in  the five-sided funhouse on the Potomac to  keep the defence budget growing. Overstressing the capabilities of the Soviet military to pry more funds out of Congress. 

The "Long War" seems to "The Threat" on steroids.

But, that's the way of the world.

 

[Inquisitor]

Edward Snowden won’t face death penalty, U.S. tells Russia

U.S. formally promises Russia not to execute or torture NSA leaker Edward Snowden if he is sent home to face charges of illegally disclosing government secrets.
link here http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/07/26/edward_snowden_wont_face_death_penalty_us_tells_russia.html

This is slightly off topic but I can't help but bring back memories of times past back in the 70's  Jokes like  Q "How do you tell when politician xxxxxxx is lying?  A: Their lips are moving!

Another,  Way back in the 70's the US had to deal with another bad boy. Salvador Allende democratically elected president of Chile. Allegedly he committed suicide by shooting himself in the back of the head, 27 times, pausing only twice to reload.  :sarcasm:  Those kinds of hijinks stopped, at least for a while when the public demanded an end to them.

 

[George Wallace]

Just to add  >

 

[CougarKing]

I doubt we'll be seeing the last of Snowden...

Link

Edward Snowden has left Moscow airport and entered Russia after being granted asylum: lawyer

MOSCOW — National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden left the transit zone of a Moscow airport and entered Russia after authorities granted him a one-year asylum, his lawyer said Thursday.

Anatoly Kucherena said that Snowden’s whereabouts will be kept secret for security reasons. The former NSA systems analyst was stuck at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport since his arrival from Hong Kong on June 23.

“He now is one of the most sought after men in the world,” Kucherena told reporters at the airport. “The issue of security is very important for him.”

The U.S. has demanded that Russia send Snowden home to face prosecution for espionage, but President Vladimir Putin dismissed the request.

(...)

 

[cupper]

Edward Snowden’s Life Just Flat-Out Fun And Exciting

http://www.theonion.com/articles/edward-snowdens-life-just-flatout-fun-and-exciting,33339/

MOSCOW—Citing a whirlwind month and a half in which he leaked classified details of a massive government surveillance operation, secretly fled from the United States to Hong Kong, and became a figure of national and global intrigue, sources confirmed Thursday that the life of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is just straight-up fun, exciting, and full of action.

Snowden, who was granted asylum in Russia after exposing the NSA’s PRISM data-mining program—which reports indicate is pretty much straight out of a goddamn Mission: Impossible movie—appears to have successfully evaded U.S. authorities attempting to extradite him on federal charges, in what many agree is as cool as it sounds.

Sources also verified that the 30-year-old’s life is sure as hell a lot more interesting and eventful than pretty much anyone else’s right now, no question about that.

“First, he spies on people as part of a top-secret government program, and if that wasn’t crazy enough, he then blows the lid on the whole operation and goes into hiding in Hong Kong,” said 34-year-old actuary Jason Leavitt of Kinston, NC. “Come on, how fucking fun is that? Essentially, he’s this young guy flying around the world, living as a fugitive, and doing whatever he wants with no consequences whatsoever. The guy is basically a walking, talking British spy novel and living every moment like it’s his last.”

“And on top of that, he’s famous and his face is all over TV and the internet,” Leavitt continued. “Beats my day-to-day, I can tell you that much.”

Given his current situation, those familiar with the fact that Snowden also has this gorgeous girlfriend who’s a pole dancer for Christ’s sake said that you’d be nuts not to want to walk in Snowden’s shoes and experience the constant thrill-a-minute ride that is his daily life.

Moreover, Barack Obama—the fucking President of the United States, sources stressed—holds press conferences and meetings with foreign leaders to talk about this guy.

“Must be pretty neat being on the front of newspapers and stuff and having everyone care about everything you say and do,” said 39-year-old Ethan Gurzau of Philadelphia, adding that if the past month is any indication, Snowden’s life will only get more awesome. “That’ll never happen to me. And it’s not like his life wasn’t sweet before this either. He was making 200k a year working at a cushy job and living in Hawaii. I mean, are you kidding me?”

When reached for comment, authorities were unable speculate on Snowden’s future plans given that it would be too difficult to pinpoint where someone so unpredictable and spontaneous and mysterious would end up. Officials went on to say they wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up sleeping with a supermodel or stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre.

“I honestly can’t wait to get up every morning and check online to see what he’s up to,” said 26-year-old Boston-based real estate agent Samantha Upton, adding that there’s no telling what unbelievable adventure Snowden will go on next. “I’ve never even been past Missouri. Meanwhile, this guy is jetting from China to Moscow while the CIA chases after him and watches his every move. That’s insane.”

“I want to do that,” Upton added. “I want to do what he’s doing.”

At press time, officials were unable to confirm Snowden’s current activities, though sources noted that whatever he’s doing, it’s probably mind-blowing.

:nod:

 

[CougarKing]

Edward Snowden’s Life Just Flat-Out Fun And Exciting

You thinking of writing a screenplay titled "The Snowden Legacy"?  ;D

 

[cupper]

You thinking of writing a screenplay titled "The Snowden Legacy"?  ;D

Colour me Jealous.

Look at all the KHL action he will get to see live.

I wish I were in his shoes.

 

[cupper]

And he even pulls off a job with Russia's version of Facebook.

Lucky Bastard.

Snowden offered job at Russia's top social network

Hours after the fugitive was given temporary asylum in Russia, the country's hugely popular VKontakte site offers him work as a programmer.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57596666-93/snowden-offered-job-at-russias-top-social-network/

It's likely that Russia's top social-networking site VKontakte won't be seeking references from previous employers when recruiting U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden to its staff.

Despite being a wanted fugitive, Snowden appears to have no problem finding work. VKontakte offered Snowden a job as a programmer on Thursday, according to The New York Times.

"We invite Edward to St. Petersburg and will be thrilled if he decides to join our stellar team of programmers at VKontakte," the social network's founder Pavel Durov said in a VKontakte post. "At the end of the day, there is no European Internet company more popular than VK. I think Edward might be interested in protecting the personal data of our millions of users."

Snowden has been hunkered down in a Moscow airport for the last several weeks but was finally able to leave on Thursday. Much to the consternation of the U.S. government, Russia offered Snowden temporary asylum for one year. The whistleblower was also offered full asylum by several Latin American countries but has been unable to travel to the region because the U.S. revoked his passport.

Snowden is wanted by the U.S. for leaking top-secret documents to the media over the National Security Agency's surveillance practices. This leak has led to the public discovering that the government has been working to spy on people via metadata from Internet companies and cellular records in two programs -- the 2015 Program and PRISM. The NSA and the Obama administration have said the goals of the surveillance programs were to track down foreign terrorists and terrorist threats.

Snowden's Russian asylum papers allow him to work in the country, which is probably why Durov offered him a job. VKontakte, which is nearly identical to Facebook, is Russia's most popular social networking site. The site claims to have more than 210 million registered users with up to 47 million people checking in daily.

 

[Inquisitor]

There is some speculation on the web that the Manning verdicts and the likely harsh sentences tipped the decision to grant asylum in Snowdens favour.

 

[Inquisitor]

In related news - seems like I'm not the only one that gets overexcited"

This reproduced under the fair use provision of the copyright act  from "This can't be happening" link here http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/

"Sen. John McCain, who almost became president running against Obama in 2008, blustered that Russia's decision was a "slap in the face" to all Americans, though actually a majority of Americans are sympathetic to Snowden and think his leak exposing the unprecedented NSA spying on them was a good act. Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York State's senior senator, called for cancellation of the G-20 summit set to be hosted by Russia because of the decision -- surely the most absurd of demands, since most other leaders in the group would go anyway, making the US look even more childish. Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, who really appears to have lost his wits these days, called the decision a "game changer" in US-Russian relations, and said it showed Russian President Vladimir Putin's lack of respect for President Obama. But then, Republicans like Graham have been doing that for five years now, and polls show that most Americans don't respect the US president much either."

 

[Nemo888]

Snowden getting asylum is not the real story, XKeyscore should be what people are talking about. Basically every single thing about you is available for perusal by anyone with access. Websites you visited, videos you watched, chats, telephone conversations and email going back years. Throw in location data from your cell, high speed license plate cameras and facial recognition from countless CCTV cameras. Everyone is a suspect. George Orwell would be so proud.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/31/nsa-top-secret-program-online-data

 

[George Wallace]

Snowden getting asylum is not the real story, XKeyscore should be what people are talking about. Basically every single thing about you is available for perusal by anyone with access. Websites you visited, videos you watched, chats, telephone conversations and email going back years. Throw in location data from your cell, high speed license plate cameras and facial recognition from countless CCTV cameras. Everyone is a suspect. George Orwell would be so proud.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/31/nsa-top-secret-program-online-data

You know; I wonder what the people thought way back when, when the very first Police force was created?  Or way, way back when the first 'soldier' was hired to protect some wealthy land owner?  My God!  They must of really felt their freedoms infringed upon.

Freedom comes at a price.  It is not FREE.



Even Anarchy and Chaos have their prices.

 

[Robert0288]

Basically every single thing about you is available for perusal by anyone with access.

And legal reason.  I'm sure the RCMP / CSIS / Local Police have the capability to find everything about you as well (kind of their job with wiretaps etc...), but they need a court order.  Take a look at the slides.  None of them say targeting Americans or targets on American soil.

 

[cupper]

Frankly, if some analyst at the NSA wants to check on what I've been perusing on the various porn sites, the cat videos that I keep getting e-mailed to me, all the game requests I keep ignoring on Face Book, or the insanity that is Army.ca, then all the power to them.

And if they want to listen in on the abuse I heap in the annoying telemarketers that keep calling, they can fill their boots.

But I will defend my right to bitch and complain that my tax dollars are being misused, and that they should be doing something more productive like tracking down those that would want to bring harm to the US, and other western democracies.

That seems to be the biggest thing that people miss in this whole debate. The Intelligence services like the NSA can vacuum up every tweet, FB post, e-mail, phone call metadata, or what ever else they feel they need. But the resources that would be necessary to examine each and every individual piece of data to determine if it raises a flag or not would bankrupt the Western countries. It would be like looking for a single atom of plutonium in the entire Atlantic Ocean.

Unless you are plotting to blow up something, fly a plane into something, or release nerve agents somewhere, You are not special enough for the NSA to take an interest in what you do online.

So you can go back and start checking out Tranny Panda Porn, rest assured that the Men in the Black SUVs won't be busting your door down.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I'm glad this guy ratted out the NSA if they're collecting information on their own citizens.

 

[Flavus101]

What if said citizens wished to cause harm to other citizens?

If someone plans to set off a bomb and this is the way that they must be caught I am fine with them having information on me. My life and others lives are more important to me than my internet history. 

 

[tomahawk6]

Who do you think CSE is spying on ? 

 

[Inquisitor]

Frankly, if some analyst at the NSA wants to check on what I've been perusing on the various porn sites, the cat videos that I keep getting e-mailed to me, all the game requests I keep ignoring on Face Book, or the insanity that is Army.ca, then all the power to them.

Cupper makes the extremely relevant point that they don't have the processing power to separate the fly-sh*t from the peper

I say again, from one of my other posts that a point that everyone seems to be missing is the COST of this corporate welfare.

Seriously - I'm thinking of calling into Rob Fords show on sunday and asking him what he thinks of this stuff.

Gravy train indeed - Standby for update on Sunday