Jun 18
Want to know all the code names for America’s massive intelligence gathering programs
     |
Jun 18
Although there’s been some debate on the legality of the mounds of data collected by NSA analysts during the PRISM program, House Intelligence Committee officials have confirmed that they’re totally free to rifle through your data without a court order. As long as they think they might have a reason to be suspicious—any reason will do!—they’re free to go nuts. So if it’s not the court, what is backing these thousands of queries to glean data from American citizens? Essentially, "I’ve got a good feeling about this one, you guys."
| |
Jun 18
FBI deputy director claims intelligence programs foiled NYC subway and NYSE bombings, among others (update)
Posted in: Today's Chili
The United States government’s controversial data collection practices reportedly helped thwart plots to bomb the New York City subway system and New York Stock Exchange, Federal Bureau of Investigation deputy director Sean Joyce said during a House Intelligence Committee hearing this morning in Washington, DC. Information from the programs — one focused on phone networks and another on the internet — was also said to serve a role in stopping a separate bombing threat at Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in Denmark, which ran a cartoon depicting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
National Security Agency director Keith Alexander added that, “50 terror threats in 20 countries” were stopped as a result of the controversial information gathering practices. “I would much rather be here today debating this than explaining why we were unable to prevent another 9/11” attack,” he said. When asked if the NSA is technologically capable of “flipping a switch” and listening in on Americans (whether by phone or internet), Alexander flatly answered, “no.”
Update: According to a Wired report, the man named during today’s hearing in connection with the New York Stock Exchange bombing, Khalid Ouazzani, wasn’t convicted of anything regarding the NYSE. Rather, his plea cites various money laundering in connection with terrorists, and his lawyer said, “Khalid Ouazzani was hot involved in any plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange.”
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Reuters
Jun 17
The Daily Roundup for 06.17.2013
Posted in: Today's Chili
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Jun 17
President Obama will be on Charlie Rose tonight to chat about all the NSA spying that came to light last week. But ahead of the broadcast, PBS has released a portion of the transcript to Buzzfeed. Below is a portion of said transcript:
| |
Jun 17
Uncle Sam might soon be spying on you with a vast, computerized network. At least that was the eerie prophecy of The Atlantic in 1967.
| |
Jun 17
Jun 17
Facebook, Apple and Microsoft Give New Information On Government Data Requests
Posted in: Today's ChiliEver since the PRISM scandal (a government program deemed legal that collects digital information for security purposes) exploded in the media, public-facing companies like Facebook, Apple, Google and Microsoft have been on the defensive in terms of public relations since […]
Like It , +1 , Tweet It , Pin It Original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Jun 17
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is one of the most wanted men on the planet, both by folks that want him to spill more beans, the powerful people who want him to stop. Today, he granted the Guardian an exclusive Q&A, and he’s already making it clear that this whistle-blowing won’t end with him.
| |
Jun 17
Apple releases statement on customer privacy, received over 4,000 government information requests in six months
Posted in: Today's Chili
Following the likes of Microsoft and Facebook, Apple has publicly responded to the explosion in interest in the NSA’s PRISM program, and has been authorized to reveal some of the data on what it’s shared with the US government in the past. It apparently first heard of the program when the media started to ask about it earlier this month and has reiterated that it provides no government agency with direct access to its servers. It does, however, get its fair share of requests for customer data from US law enforcement, receiving between 4,000 and 5,000 of them between December 1 2012 and May 31 2013. These requests covered over 9,000 accounts or devices, and come from federal, state and local authorities. Apple elaborated a little on these information requests too, saying that the majority of these requests have involved searching for missing children, preventing suicides and robberies. The company says it has “always placed a priority on protecting our customers’ personal data,” and its legal team evaluates each request. Apparently, Apple can’t decrypt (and thus share) iMessage and FaceTime data, which is encrypted end-to-end. We’ve added its full statement after the break.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Apple
Source: Apple
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.