Mainstream News

Lawmakers propose cyber crime reforms inspired by Aaron Swartz

"Critics of the current law, called the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), say it is far too vague and led to the overzealous prosecution of Swartz after he accessed an MIT database containing academic research papers, many of which were created with public funding. Aaron’s Law would also cut back on redundant penalties in the current CFAA that can see some offenders punished twice for the same crime. The bill also seeks to address a flaw in the current law that makes 'unauthorized access' of any kind a felony, whereas something as simple as lying about one’s age to Facebook could be considered unauthorized access." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLawmakers propose cyber crime reforms inspired by Aaron Swartz

Michael Hastings was researching Jill Kelley FBI lawsuit before death

"During the weeks before he was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles, reporter Michael Hastings was researching a story about a privacy lawsuit brought by Florida socialite Jill Kelley against the Department of Defense and the FBI. Hastings, 33, was scheduled to meet with a representative of Kelley next week in Los Angeles to discuss the case, according to a person close to Kelley. Kelley alleges that military officials and the FBI leaked her name to the media to discredit her after she reported receiving a stream of emails that were traced to Paula Broadwell, a biographer of former CIA director David H. Petraeus, according to a lawsuit filed on June 3." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichael Hastings was researching Jill Kelley FBI lawsuit before death

Senator: Contractor that vetted Snowden is under investigation

"A company that conducted a 2011 background investigation into Edward Snowden, the source of recent leaks about U.S. secret surveillance programs, is itself under investigation, Senator Claire McCaskill said on Thursday. In her opening statement before a Senate homeland security subcommittee hearing, McCaskill said USIS is currently under investigation by the Office of Personnel Management’s Inspector General based on allegations is systemically failed to adequately conduct investigations under its contract. 'It is a reminder that background investigations can have real consequences for our national security,' McCaskill said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator: Contractor that vetted Snowden is under investigation

Bush-Era NSA Whistleblower Makes Most Explosive Allegations Yet About Extent of Gov’t Surveillance

"Russ Tice, a former intelligence analyst and Bush-era NSA whistleblower, claimed Wednesday that the intelligence community has ordered surveillance on a wide range of groups and individuals, including high-ranking military officials, lawmakers and diplomats. He also made another stunning allegation. He says the NSA had ordered wiretaps on phones connected to then-Senate candidate Barack Obama back in 2004. FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds and Tice agreed that such wide-ranging surveillance of officials could provide the intelligence agencies with unthinkable power to blackmail their opponents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBush-Era NSA Whistleblower Makes Most Explosive Allegations Yet About Extent of Gov’t Surveillance

Spyware claims emerge in spat over Chinese dissident at NYU

"When Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrived in the United States in May last year he was given a fellowship at New York University, use of a Greenwich Village apartment, and a pile of gifts from supporters, including smartphones and an iPad. But at least two of the gadgets presented to Chen as gifts may not have been quite what they seemed: They included software intended to spy on the blind dissident, according to Jerome Cohen, an NYU professor who has been Chen’s mentor, and another source familiar with the episode." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSpyware claims emerge in spat over Chinese dissident at NYU

Snowden’s Hasty Exit Started With Pizza Inside a Hong Kong Hideout

"Mr. Snowden wore a cap and sunglasses and insisted that the assembled lawyers hide their cellphones in the refrigerator of the home where he was staying, to block any eavesdropping. Then began a two-hour conversation during which Mr. Snowden was deeply dismayed to learn that he could spend years in prison without access to a computer during litigation over whether he would be granted asylum here or surrendered to the United States. Staying cooped up in the cramped Hong Kong home of a local supporter was less bothersome to Mr. Snowden than the prospect of losing his computer." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden’s Hasty Exit Started With Pizza Inside a Hong Kong Hideout

CIA rolls out ‘new and improved website’

"The CIA prides itself on secrecy but the spy agency unveiled a revamped website Monday that promises a user-friendly layout and a 'sleeker, more modern web experience.' 'The new and improved website reflects CIA’s strong commitment to educating and informing the American people about the Agency’s history, mission, and organization,' John Brennan, CIA director, said in a statement. 'I encourage the public to explore the website and learn more about an American institution dedicated to protecting our country’s security,' said Brennan, known as the mastermind behind secret drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCIA rolls out ‘new and improved website’

Here’s What It Looks Like When Two Hacker FBI Informants Try To Inform On Each Other

"The chat log represents a conversation between two FBI informants, both of whom seem to be trying to lure the other into providing evidence they can turn over to their law enforcement handlers–or even into a meeting that could lead to the other’s arrest. Sabu, also known as Hector Xavier Monsegur, had agreed to work as an FBI mole within LulzSec months before his conversation with Thordarson. Thordarson, for his part, tells me he thought he was helping to deliver a 'notorious hacker' to the FBI, and didn’t know he was speaking to a fellow stool pigeon. Monsegur doesn’t show any signs of knowing either." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s What It Looks Like When Two Hacker FBI Informants Try To Inform On Each Other

Biden calls Ecuador’s president about NSA leaker Snowden

"Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa on Saturday said Vice President Joe Biden had called him to urge the South American country to deny an asylum request from National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, according to reports. Correa added that no decision would be made on the asylum request unless Snowden was on Ecuadorian territory and said that the admitted leaker would 'have to assume his own responsibilities' for his actions. Correa disclosed the phone call from Biden during a television interview in Ecuador. National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said Biden and Correa spoke on Friday, but would not provide more details." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBiden calls Ecuador’s president about NSA leaker Snowden

Ecuador breaks US trade pact to thwart ‘blackmail’ over Snowden asylum

"Ecuador has ramped up its defiance of the US over Edward Snowden by waiving preferential trade rights with Washington even as the whistleblower's prospect of reaching Quito dimmed. President Rafael Correa's government said on Thursday it was renouncing the Andean Trade Preference Act to thwart US 'blackmail' of Ecuador in the former NSA contractor's asylum request. Officials, speaking at an early morning press conference, also offered a $23m donation for human rights training in the US, a brash riposte to recent US criticism of Ecuador's own human rights record." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEcuador breaks US trade pact to thwart ‘blackmail’ over Snowden asylum