FBI forms a new internet-surveillance unit
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Most of us are very protective of our email, online banking, and even social networking accounts. We know what a nightmare it can be to get hacked, or just as bad, to have a stranger learn all sorts of personal information about us. But according to a new CNET report, it's not strangers we should be the most worried about eavesdropping on our comings and goings on the net — it's our own government.
According to the report, the FBI has opened a new $54 million Domestic Communications Assistance Center (DCAC) in Quantico, Virginia. The goal of the DCAC is simple: To develop technology to allow the government to break encryption, eavesdrop on private communications, and even intercept Skype calls. The DCAC also serves to assist federal, local, and state authorities in their digital wiretapping efforts. The center does not perform wiretapping itself; it simply helps other agencies execute their own wiretapping plans.
Predictably, civil liberties groups are up in arms over the agency — especially its secrecy. Says Jennifer Lynch of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, "they're doing the best they can to avoid being transparent. The big question for me is why there isn't more transparency about what's going on? We should know more about the program and what the FBI is doing."
According to the report, the FBI has opened a new $54 million Domestic Communications Assistance Center (DCAC) in Quantico, Virginia. The goal of the DCAC is simple: To develop technology to allow the government to break encryption, eavesdrop on private communications, and even intercept Skype calls. The DCAC also serves to assist federal, local, and state authorities in their digital wiretapping efforts. The center does not perform wiretapping itself; it simply helps other agencies execute their own wiretapping plans.
Predictably, civil liberties groups are up in arms over the agency — especially its secrecy. Says Jennifer Lynch of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, "they're doing the best they can to avoid being transparent. The big question for me is why there isn't more transparency about what's going on? We should know more about the program and what the FBI is doing."
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/big-brother-watching-fbi-forms-internet-surveillance-unit-173958595.html
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I have no words to describe my reaction. I know DHS already does this, but the fac they're expanding it? And for what? The boogeyman "child predators"?
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I just don't understand why all of the sudden the US government has gotten a wild hair up their asses when it comes to the internet. If you government toerags fuck with the internet, the people of America will come up to Washington D.C. just to kick your ass. The Internet is our biggest provider when it comes to free speech in the US, but in the last 4-5 years they (Congress) have decided to become uber-moderators in everyones business.
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Normal reaction, if illegal towards rights of privacy.
The internet has become what you would call the nervous center of the world. its influence reaches sometimes further than that of some countries.
It has become alike a third party force, that is everywhere and nowhere and that must be accounted for in many decisions.
So it is "normal" as a reaction for the US government to try and bring up countermeasures to this new force that the politics don't understand.
On the subject of the new bureau, hell, didn't that already exist for ten years? The FBI have a Cyber-Security Division since god knows when. So this really sin't a surprise, even if its outrageous to publicly announce that "hey we're spending your money to crack your email accounts *smiles* also, for the anal probing, step right over there".
I'm not worried. Statistics show that right now, it takes 121,617,874,031,562,000 years to crack the public encryption key with its 128 bits encryption, with america's Cray XT5-HE Opteron, third fastest calculation computer in the world known to the public (a trillion computations/second).
Soon enough, if ever the internet feels threatened in its security, we'll just up the level. And frankly, if mathematics catch us with our pants down with revolutionary technics, then good for them, cause they've been searching for the last thirty years.
The internet has become what you would call the nervous center of the world. its influence reaches sometimes further than that of some countries.
It has become alike a third party force, that is everywhere and nowhere and that must be accounted for in many decisions.
So it is "normal" as a reaction for the US government to try and bring up countermeasures to this new force that the politics don't understand.
On the subject of the new bureau, hell, didn't that already exist for ten years? The FBI have a Cyber-Security Division since god knows when. So this really sin't a surprise, even if its outrageous to publicly announce that "hey we're spending your money to crack your email accounts *smiles* also, for the anal probing, step right over there".
I'm not worried. Statistics show that right now, it takes 121,617,874,031,562,000 years to crack the public encryption key with its 128 bits encryption, with america's Cray XT5-HE Opteron, third fastest calculation computer in the world known to the public (a trillion computations/second).
Soon enough, if ever the internet feels threatened in its security, we'll just up the level. And frankly, if mathematics catch us with our pants down with revolutionary technics, then good for them, cause they've been searching for the last thirty years.
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Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion. Otherwise, the topic may be moved to Random or Incoherent Babbling.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Getting back on topic, the authorities often come up with reasons, stating that their actions is for the good of the people, but normal citizens like ourselves wonder if there are hidden motives behind such policies. Then again, the same situation applies to lots of organisations too.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Getting back on topic, the authorities often come up with reasons, stating that their actions is for the good of the people, but normal citizens like ourselves wonder if there are hidden motives behind such policies. Then again, the same situation applies to lots of organisations too.
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Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion.It could be possible that the OP doesn't have an opinion on the matter yet, but feels that because it's about the Government possibly spying on us, it should be kept out of the riffraff that is IB and Random. Also I think that this thread has already multiple topics of discussion built right in, from "how do you feel, what do you think it means for the future of the internet?"
Moving a thread that has potential to be a Serious Discussion to IB because the OP doesn't state his opinion but is just delivering doesn't seem right at all.
Back on topic:
I am honestly not surprised by this, big brother has always been watching us. Doesn't anyone remember the possible phone-taps? CIA and FBI are always trying to spy on us, because they feel it is necessary and because they think they can.
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Longevity wrote...
Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion.It could be possible that the OP doesn't have an opinion on the matter yet, but feels that because it's about the Government possibly spying on us, it should be kept out of the riffraff that is IB and Random. Also I think that this thread has already multiple topics of discussion built right in, from "how do you feel, what do you think it means for the future of the internet?"
Moving a thread that has potential to be a Serious Discussion to IB because the OP doesn't state his opinion but is just delivering doesn't seem right at all.
Back on topic:
I am honestly not surprised by this, big brother has always been watching us. Doesn't anyone remember the possible phone-taps? CIA and FBI are always trying to spy on us, because they feel it is necessary and because they think they can.
At this point, I want to see the full prison state established just because it seems soooooo important for them that they must fuck up the world just to achieve it.
Honestly, I'm curious if they'll still believe it was worth it after they win.
Personally, I believe only then they will realize how pointless it all was.
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Lishy1 wrote...
Longevity wrote...
Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion.It could be possible that the OP doesn't have an opinion on the matter yet, but feels that because it's about the Government possibly spying on us, it should be kept out of the riffraff that is IB and Random. Also I think that this thread has already multiple topics of discussion built right in, from "how do you feel, what do you think it means for the future of the internet?"
Moving a thread that has potential to be a Serious Discussion to IB because the OP doesn't state his opinion but is just delivering doesn't seem right at all.
Back on topic:
I am honestly not surprised by this, big brother has always been watching us. Doesn't anyone remember the possible phone-taps? CIA and FBI are always trying to spy on us, because they feel it is necessary and because they think they can.
At this point, I want to see the full prison state established just because it seems soooooo important for them that they must fuck up the world just to achieve it.
Honestly, I'm curious if they'll still believe it was worth it after they win.
Personally, I believe only then they will realize how pointless it all was.
I hope you're joking about wanting America to be a full Police State, why would anyone want to have all their rights taken away? I don't think you fully understand a Police State and how shitty it actually is.
I do think the FBI should have a watch though, for keywords like "Child Porn, Pipe Bombs, How to Terror" and anything of that nature.
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Longevity wrote...
Back on topic:
I am honestly not surprised by this, big brother has always been watching us. Doesn't anyone remember the possible phone-taps? CIA and FBI are always trying to spy on us, because they feel it is necessary and because they think they can.
Exactly. Most of these newly formed public agencies are declassification of old practice.
They get an idea.
They implement the idea.
They build a legislative ladder that would make this idea legal.
They "implement" the idea.
At this point, I would treat the internet like a telephone. If it isn't safe to say without a policeman listening, than don't say it at all.
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America is well known for this kind of thing. Big Bro watches YOU and the such. I still think it's messed up. We created the internet for it to be a space of complete freedom. Nobody ever told anyone to put anything worth getting hacked on there. especially not government level information. And for people talking about their own thing, I don't see why the government would need to monitor them. We created Internet for freedom, they made it into a monster and now they struggle trying to control what little they can without clearly stepping on our privacy. same old song & dance. I give 'em 3 years before they start trying to control the whole freaking thing.
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Longevity wrote...
I hope you're joking about wanting America to be a full Police State, why would anyone want to have all their rights taken away? I don't think you fully understand a Police State and how shitty it actually is.
I do think the FBI should have a watch though, for keywords like "Child Porn, Pipe Bombs, How to Terror" and anything of that nature.
Obviously I don't want America to become a police state, but I am damn curious how long the charade will last.
A police state is impossible to sustain, thus' it is pretty pointless. Nothing is ultimately achieved, short of some twisted ideological glory.
Most of the people orchestrating this are all dried up, and shriveled anyways... (Probably unable to have sex without Viagra too), so it's not like they could accomplish anything else once they establish a police state.
It's all one big hypothetical I'm saying here: Whoopiedoo, they've fucked up the world, and established a dictatorship! Now what? They'll go back to their estate, go to sleep, and do nothing the next day, except maybe watch TV.
By then, most of these people will be too old to even do anything but stay in their estate. The result might even be that they commit suicide in the end...
I'm curious to see if it will really be worth it to them in the end, since they're putting so much effort into something bound to fail due to human nature.
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[color=#2e1a6b]Since SOPA was rejected, they realized that they would have to destroy the internet in much smaller steps at a time. I think we'll consider seeing more bills like this, slowly giving the government more power over the internet.
The Government's after the internet because it's what prevents them from creating a police state. The mainstream media is censored, we only get the news the government allows us to get. We aren't told about Obama taking orders from the UN, we aren't told about Tower 7 collapsing on 9/11, we aren't told about Al CIAda, we aren't told that Obama didn't really kill bin-laden... I could go on. The mainstream media doesn't tell us these things; we learn these things through the internet. If were to censor the internet, we would have no choice but to believe the lies the government tells us. The government would have complete control over all the knowledge we receive. If they get control over our information, turning this nation into a police state is like taking candy from a baby
I'm planning on starting a thread about police states, but I'm still searching for more sources.
9 years and 11 months ago, Ron Paul gave a speech about America becoming a police state. http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=60
The Government's after the internet because it's what prevents them from creating a police state. The mainstream media is censored, we only get the news the government allows us to get. We aren't told about Obama taking orders from the UN, we aren't told about Tower 7 collapsing on 9/11, we aren't told about Al CIAda, we aren't told that Obama didn't really kill bin-laden... I could go on. The mainstream media doesn't tell us these things; we learn these things through the internet. If were to censor the internet, we would have no choice but to believe the lies the government tells us. The government would have complete control over all the knowledge we receive. If they get control over our information, turning this nation into a police state is like taking candy from a baby
I'm planning on starting a thread about police states, but I'm still searching for more sources.
9 years and 11 months ago, Ron Paul gave a speech about America becoming a police state. http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=60
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Sometimes I am very glad not to live in America.
Because especially in America, Government goes crazy about national security.
Makes me think of V for Vendetta...
Because especially in America, Government goes crazy about national security.
Makes me think of V for Vendetta...
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Tegumi
"im always cute"
Longevity wrote...
Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion.Moving a thread that has potential to be a Serious Discussion to IB because the OP doesn't state his opinion but is just delivering doesn't seem right at all.
Nobody said anything about IB. It would probably be moved to Random, that's where news threads usually go.
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Lelouch24 wrote...
[color=#2e1a6b]Since SOPA was rejected, they realized that they would have to destroy the internet in much smaller steps at a time. I think we'll consider seeing more bills like this, slowly giving the government more power over the internet. The Government's after the internet because it's what prevents them from creating a police state. The mainstream media is censored, we only get the news the government allows us to get. We aren't told about Obama taking orders from the UN, we aren't told about Tower 7 collapsing on 9/11, we aren't told about Al CIAda, we aren't told that Obama didn't really kill bin-laden... I could go on. The mainstream media doesn't tell us these things; we learn these things through the internet. If were to censor the internet, we would have no choice but to believe the lies the government tells us. The government would have complete control over all the knowledge we receive. If they get control over our information, turning this nation into a police state is like taking candy from a baby
I'm planning on starting a thread about police states, but I'm still searching for more sources.
9 years and 11 months ago, Ron Paul gave a speech about America becoming a police state. http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=60
Can you send me something to edit?
You have the right idea, but I can only tell because I am fluent in conspiraceeze.
I would recommend outlining the steps that have been taken, the steps that are officially in the works, and speculating a logical route to the suggested end.
-----------------
The Internet does not prevent a police state, as I would define it. It would require:
-Comprehensive surveillance. Facial recognition programs coupled with ubiquitous cameras. Profiling algorithms analyse behaviour, roving sweeper programs scan for buzzwords.
-Façade of concern. "We are looking for terrorists." "This protects children from pornographers." "Hackers (unnamed) pose an international menace. (also unnamed)"
-Militarized police force. The physical arm of the apparatus. "Disappears" people in the night.
In short, if your city has traffic cameras and a SWAT team, you live in a police state.
By now, we're debating efficiency instead of implementation.
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Tegumi wrote...
Longevity wrote...
Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion.Moving a thread that has potential to be a Serious Discussion to IB because the OP doesn't state his opinion but is just delivering doesn't seem right at all.
Nobody said anything about IB. It would probably be moved to Random, that's where news threads usually go.
Sorry, I didn't quote Gamblers full reply.
Gambler wrote...
Mod Note: I received a report concerning this topic. I have requested the thread starter to edit his/her opening post, to include his/her views and opinions on the matter, so that there is a clear focus of dicussion. Otherwise, the topic may be moved to Random or Incoherent Babbling.Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Getting back on topic, the authorities often come up with reasons, stating that their actions is for the good of the people, but normal citizens like ourselves wonder if there are hidden motives behind such policies. Then again, the same situation applies to lots of organisations too.