Tag: National Security Agency

Technology1 Comment

NSA reportedly planted spyware on electronics equipment

Awaissoft

Based on internal NSA documents, Der Spiegel reveals that the spy agency planted backdoors to access computers, hard drives, routers, and other devices from companies such as Cisco, Dell, Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor and Samsung. Headquarters of the NSA at Fort Meade, Maryland. (Credit: NSA) A new report from Der Spiegel, based on internal National Security Agency documents, reveals more details about how the spy agency gains access to computers and other electronic devices to plant backdoors and other spyware. The Office of Tailored Access Operations, or TAO, is described as a “squad of digital plumbers” that deals with hard targets … Continue reading NSA reportedly planted spyware on electronics equipment

TechnologyLeave a comment

Gov’t takedown requests increased 68%, says Google in its latest transparency report

Awaissoft

Censorship seems to be one of Google’s biggest concerns. The companyreleased its transparency report today after fielding thousands of takedown requests from governments around the world. And based on the report, the trend is only getting worse. Since 2010, Google has released eight transparency reports detailing government requests to take down this content. These requests come through law enforcement, individual politicians, court orders, and more. The company explained in a blog post that it is effectively being bullied by some of these entities to remove information. Google says the number of requests has increased by 68 percent since the second half of 2012, … Continue reading Gov’t takedown requests increased 68%, says Google in its latest transparency report

TechnologyLeave a comment

Tech executives to Obama: NSA spying revelations are hurting business

Awaissoft

Leaders of the nation’s biggest technology firms warned President Obama during a lengthy meeting at the White House on Tuesday that National Security Agency spying programs are damaging their reputations and could harm the broader economy. Cisco Systems has said it is seeing customers, especially overseas, back away from American-branded technology after documents revealed that the NSA enlisted tech firms and secretly tapped into their data hubs around the world as the agency pursued terrorism suspects. Companies such as IBM, AT&T and Verizon Communications are facing angry shareholders, some of whom have filed lawsuits demanding that the companies disclose their participation in NSA intelligence programs. The companies also … Continue reading Tech executives to Obama: NSA spying revelations are hurting business

Technology1 Comment

Facebook, Google lead tech industry group demanding government surveillance reform

Awaissoft

A group of the world’s most powerful Internet companies have come together to form the Reform Government Surveillance group, an organization pushing for wide-scale changes to US government surveillance in light of NSA revelations revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden. Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, AOL, LinkedIn, Twitter and Yahoo have formed the alliance to push their shared belief that “it is time for the world’s governments to address the practices and laws regulating government surveillance of individuals and access to their information.” The organization is pledging its support to sweeping new reform proposed by Washington politicians, and its website includes five central principles for change: … Continue reading Facebook, Google lead tech industry group demanding government surveillance reform