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A federal study found signs that surveillance devices for intercepting cellphone calls and texts were operating near the White House and other sensitive locations in the Washington area last year. A Department of Homeland Security program discovered evidence of the surveillance devices, called IMSI catchers, as part of federal testing last year, according to a letter from DHS to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on May 22. The letter didn't specify what entity operated the devices and left open the possibility that there could be alternative explanations for the suspicious cellular signals collected by the federal testing program last year.
The discovery bolsters years of independent research suggesting that foreign intelligence agencies use sophisticated interception technology to spy on officials working within the hub of federal power in the nation’s capital. Experts in surveillance technology say that IMSI catchers — sometimes known by one popular brand name, StingRay — are a standard part of the tool kit for many foreign intelligence services, including for such geopolitical rivals as Russia and China
So someone has been trying to spy on cell phones in and around the White House. Let’s run down a list of possible bad actors in this scenario:
Russia?
China?
Or for those diving down the “Deep State” rabbit hole, what if this is a deep state plot to spy on White House communications and by extension, Trump? What if the source of White House leaks isn’t any insiders, but someone on the outside intercepting communications?
originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: underwerks
So someone has been trying to spy on cell phones in and around the White House. Let’s run down a list of possible bad actors in this scenario:
Russia?
China?
Or for those diving down the “Deep State” rabbit hole, what if this is a deep state plot to spy on White House communications and by extension, Trump? What if the source of White House leaks isn’t any insiders, but someone on the outside intercepting communications?
I'm going local... as in Team Obama. There's a reason the Obamas moved just a hop, skip and a jump from the White House... and Pentagon... and Capitol Hill...
I have no reason to believe that the spying began and/or ended with Trump's campaign. And I have plenty of reason to believe otherwise.
originally posted by: toysforadults
Probably a 16 year old.
airmon-ng
aircrack-ng
so easy anybody could do it
Where do you think Obama keeps his stingray devices?
originally posted by: Sillyolme
a reply to: underwerks
I'm sure as soon as trump hears about this he will be tweeting about it. Maybe even by tonight's news cycle.
originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: underwerks
So someone has been trying to spy on cell phones in and around the White House. Let’s run down a list of possible bad actors in this scenario:
Russia?
China?
Or for those diving down the “Deep State” rabbit hole, what if this is a deep state plot to spy on White House communications and by extension, Trump? What if the source of White House leaks isn’t any insiders, but someone on the outside intercepting communications?
I'm going local... as in Team Obama. There's a reason the Obamas moved just a hop, skip and a jump from the White House... and Pentagon... and Capitol Hill...
I have no reason to believe that the spying began and/or ended with Trump's campaign. And I have plenty of reason to believe otherwise.
Where do you think Obama keeps his stingray devices? Is it a special room in his house, or do you think they break it out like Monopoly after dinner and have some good ol family time spying on the Trumps?
geez....really?.....let's leave out Russians, Chinese, Israelis, Iranians, other Muslim countries....you know...the obvious ones that have the most to gain, and go with a our own previous president....and then you wonder why we on the left think people who believe in this are....oh never mind
originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: underwerks
Where do you think Obama keeps his stingray devices? Is it a special room in his house, or do you think they break it out like Monopoly after dinner and have some good ol family time spying on the Trumps?
Good question. I really don't know... I don't know how big they are, how heavy they are, or anything at all about how they work. Fortunately for all of us, that's not my job to know or figure it out!
But do note, I referred to "Team Obama," not just Barack Obama.
My problem with that theory is that stingray technology is old, I first heard about it back in 2003 or something like that. On a tv show, nonetheless.
Now even a lot of local police have more advanced technology that doesn’t require the stingray device.
Whoever this is, is using outdated technology. So I have a hard time believing it’s our own intelligence agencies or Russia or China. Unless the outdated technology is being used on purpose...
Hmmmm...
originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: underwerks
My problem with that theory is that stingray technology is old, I first heard about it back in 2003 or something like that. On a tv show, nonetheless.
Now even a lot of local police have more advanced technology that doesn’t require the stingray device.
That makes sense to me, but I don't know enough about the technology to have an opinion on the specifics. In particular, I have no idea what restrictions (if any) are placed on purchasing such technology, and/or how available it is on the black market, etc.
I do suspect, however, that this is just the beginning of the information about to come out. I expect this story will evolve in the coming weeks and perhaps months. We may know more soon enough.
Whoever this is, is using outdated technology. So I have a hard time believing it’s our own intelligence agencies or Russia or China. Unless the outdated technology is being used on purpose...
Hmmmm...
That could be as well. Again, I don't know much about the technology, so there may be a good reason to use older technology. (Other than simply because that's all they could get their hands on.)