US acknowledges potential unauthorized spying devices in DC

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill



BY OLIVIA BEAVERS - 04/03/18 04:05 PM EDT

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is acknowledging for the first time that foreign actors or criminals are using eavesdropping devices to track cellphone activity in the Washington D.C., according to a letter obtained by The Hill.

DHS in a letter to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) last Monday said they came across unauthorized cell-site simulators in the Washington D.C. area last year. Such devices, also known as "stingrays," can track a user's location data through their mobile phones cellphones, and can intercept cellphone calls and messages.

"[T]he National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) has observed anomalous activity in the National Capital Region that appears to be consistent with International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers," DHS wrote in response to specific questions Wyden sent them last November. It said it is also aware of IMSI use outside the Beltway.

DHS official Christopher Krebs, the top official leading the NPPD, added in a separate letter accompanying his response that such use "of IMSI catchers by malicious actors to track and monitor cellular users is unlawful and threatens the security of communications, resulting in safety, economic and privacy risks."

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/381479-us-acknowledges-potential-unauthorized-spying-devices-in-dc

[DetlefK]

1. When law-enforcement used cell-site simulators against Standing Rock protesters...

...nobody batted an eye and we never found out who authorized it.

[RandomAccess]

3. Nobody authorized it; in that particular case, nobody had to.

Those private security people were out of control, and the local LEs were following their orders and doing THEIR bidding. It was grotesque.

[magicarpet]

2. Okie dokie for thee....

But not for me !

I cherish my privacy because it is so important.

[scarytomcat]

4. your local police have been doing this for years they all have stingrays

don't forget your every movement can be traced through you cell phone
they can also turn your camera on and record you
after all cellphones components are the product of the war industry
is it smart to have them made in China

[DetlefK]

8. A month ago it was discovered that chinese smartphones come with pre-installed trojans.

The news were about cheap smartphones from small brands, mainly chinese ones. I wonder why nobody in the US reported on that. The only english-language news of this I can find are RT and Sputnik and I'm not gonna link to them.

The chinese government directly or indirectly controls 90% of the chinese economy, including every single major chinese corporation. Would you buy a smartphone from by a company run by the US-government?



There are protective bags for smartphones made from metal-foil. They completely shut out all radio-signals. Nothing goes in, nothing comes out. You can buy them online.

[scarytomcat]

10. thanks

good information
beware of big brother

[shadowmayor]

5. Great Big

DUH - Spies gonna spy

[SergeStorms]

6. And Trump still uses.......

his old, unsecured cell phone, at least the last time I knew.

[Skittles]

7. jeez, I wonder what country that could be

[Blue_Tires]

9. Greenwald and Snowden were- Yeah, yeah... You know the rest....

[MosheFeingold]

11. A "friendly" nation is almost certainly behind this, probably England

It's long been an open secret that the USA permits various countries to spy on US citizens and various countries permit the US to spy on their citizens. In fact, we often tell each other on whom they should spy.

Then we trade the information.

All to avoid silly things like FISA warrants and due process of law.

Been going on since the 1960s, at least.

England, Israel, and Germany are the most common helpers.