article thumbnail

The PCLOB Needs a Director

Schneier on Security

So it can examine the program of TSA watchlists, NSA anti-terrorism surveillance, and FBI counterterrorism activities. The PCLOB was established in 2004 (when it didn't do much), disappeared from 2007-2012, and reconstituted in 2012. It issued a major report on NSA surveillance in 2014.

article thumbnail

Identifying People Using Cell Phone Location Data

Schneier on Security

But way back in 2012, the Canadian CSEC—that’s their NSA—did some top-secret work on this kind of thing. There’s a whole lot of surveillance you can do if you can follow everyone, everywhere, all the time. Nowadays, it seems like an obvious thing to do—although the search is probably unconstitutional.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Russians Hack FBI Comms System

Schneier on Security

Yahoo News reported that the Russians have successfully targeted an FBI communications system: American officials discovered that the Russians had dramatically improved their ability to decrypt certain types of secure communications and had successfully tracked devices used by elite FBI surveillance teams.

Hacking 216
article thumbnail

Snowden speaks about the role of surveillance firm NSO Group in Khashoggi murder

Security Affairs

Snowden warns of abuse of surveillance software that also had a role in the murder of the Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Officially the sale of surveillance software is limited to authorized governments to support investigation of agencies on criminal organizations and terrorist groups. COUNTRY NEXUS.

article thumbnail

China sets SIM based tracking devices in UK Government cars

CyberSecurity Insiders

Surveillance is prevailing at its peak in China as it keeps a track of every move made by its populace in its provinces. So, all senior MPs have raised their voice against the surveillance and are urging the public using Chinese products to handle them with care, as they might be capable of gathering a pool of personal data.

article thumbnail

US pharmacy Rite Aid banned from operating facial recognition systems

Malwarebytes

The regulator found so many flaws in the retailer’s surveillance program that it concluded Rite Aid had failed to implement reasonable procedures and prevent harm to consumers in its use of facial recognition technology in hundreds of stores. Notify consumers when their biometric information is used.

article thumbnail

On Chinese "Spy Trains"

Schneier on Security

The reason these threats are so real is that it's not difficult to hide surveillance or control infrastructure in computer components, and if they're not turned on, they're very difficult to find. Even so, these examples illustrate an important point: there's no escaping the technology of inevitable surveillance. Our allies do it.