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Social networks the CIA and data mining
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| we_R_DNA |
| quote: | If someone told you that the CIA was spying on you by way of your Twitter updates, Facebook posts, YouTube videos, or Amazon reviews, you’d probably chalk it up to a conspiracy theory.
But today we’re learning from Wired that the CIA’s technology arm In-Q-Tel has invested an undisclosed sum in Visible Technologies, a firm that provides software to companies like Microsoft for social media monitoring.
According to Wired, the investment is “part of a larger movement within the spy services to get better at using “open source intelligence” – information that’s publicly available, but often hidden.” The current plan is for the CIA to use the technology to monitor International intelligence shared in public channels to get an early edge on what’s being shared and communicated by influential voices. In addition, funds from the deal apparently will be allocated towards enhancing the foreign language monitoring capabilities of Visible Technologies .
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http://mashable.com/2009/10/19/cia-social-media-monitoring/
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/exclusive-us-spies-buy-stake-in-twitter-blog-monitoring-firm/ |
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| Lira |
| If the CIA browsed my stuff, they'd probably be puzzled and move on :p |
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| Arbiter |
I think it's a mischaracterization to call accessing data that people have chosen to publicize about themselves "spying." Once the information is public, it's no longer "spying," it's just research.
It's kind of amusing, really. DARPA's information awareness office got shut down in a storm of outrage for trying to accomplish essentially what people have voluntarily done to themselves by participating in these social networking websites.
It's no conspiracy, it's just ordinary intelligence policy. It is just plain naive to expect that the government won't take advantage of the serendipidous turn of events. All the data they've been itching to analyze but haven't been able to get the legal authority to collect has just been handed to them on a silver platter. It's not like they're extracting any information from people that they aren't voluntarily posting on these sites. |
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| The17sss |
| meh... if the CIA wanted to keep something secret from "Wired", I'm pretty sure they could. If something like this is true, there has to be a reason as to why the CIA planted the seed to some no name reporter with Wired, of all places. |
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| Slylee |
| but wouldn't it be spying if the person has all the privacy settings activated so only their "friends" can see the information they put out there? lol |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| Maybe, but what are you going to do about it? |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| You mean like how the CIA thinks Jennypie in fact lives under a fat, old patient's hairy ass? |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| Exactly like Dogbert. He so crazeh. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by ********
The information may just be fiction. |
Yeah, right, mister "I'm a maniac and I'm going to shoot all of yo-- just kidding, luv ya!". There are quite a few things that shouldn't be published if you don't mean it ;) |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| quote: | Originally posted by ********
I have to use though that duplication of that content for non fair use means would still constitute a breach of copyright, as the government would also need to gain access to use, and I would find it difficult that these backups of random information constituting a national security need for an injunction based on "needs" as I'm geussing most of the crap is entirely just that and has nothing to do with national security, and thus the government would be open to lawsuit for violation of copyright violations.
While media is available it is not able to be duplicated without consent, for resuse from a secondary source. |
They don't plan on selling it though. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by ********
I have my poetic liscence and I'm free to publish and communicate whatever I'd like. |
True that, you just need to deal with the consequences where they apply :) |
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| SYSTEM-J |
| Who gives a , to be honest? Unless you broadcast your illegal behaviour on a social networking site, what does it matter that a computer in Washington has your details on file? And if you do broadcast your illegal activities, you've no right to complain if they kick your door down. |
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