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You might be a terrorist if you have two cell phones, use Web proxies
Are you concerned about your digital privacy enough to use proxies and encryption software? Do you voice chat with fellow PC gamers? If so, you might be a terrorist, according to FBI and DoJ. Public Intelligence has discovered a federal document outlining a "Communities Against Terrorism" initative that describes various "suspicious" activities and offers tips on reporting them to the government.
The guideline (PDF) lists many perfectly normal behaviors but tries to validate their inclusion by emphasizing extremes that are completely open to interpretation. For instance, someone involved in terrorist activities might be "overly" concerned about their privacy and attempt to shield their screen from view of others. Such an individual might also travel "illogical" distances to visit an Internet Café.
You might also be a terrorist if you use multiple cell phones, switch SIM cards in the same handset, mask your IP address, download information on "timers, electronics or remote transmitters/receivers", or partake in "suspicious" communications through VoIP services. The list goes as far as to mention logging on to a residential-based Internet provider, such as checking your Comcast or AOL email.
Naturally, it's virtually impossible to define what constitutes being "overly" private, traveling "illogical" distances or making "suspicious" VoIP calls. By making such broad strokes, it could be argued that anyone engaging in such activities is suspect, regardless of how innocuous they may be. Nonetheless, if you feel compelled to report your neighbor or coworker, the FBI and DoJ suggest that you:
- Gather information about the suspects without drawing attention to yourself
- Log license plates, vehicle descriptions, names, languages spoken and ethnicities
- Don't collect metadata, content or search the individuals' electronic communications
User Comments: 52
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Techspot mods do not approve of the party van.
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This is just terrible. I'm glad i don't live in nazi country like usa. Internet is so far the last place you can exercise your freedom to say whatever you want, watch whatever you like and make it as private and as personal as you like. And seriously who ever heard about terrorists? Who ever seen one besides movies? This is retarded!
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Guest said:
nazi country like usa.
As opposed to what?
Let's look at your other options, shall we?
Europe? ACTA.
Asia?
Africa?
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That document pretty much sums up a least one aspect of most experienced computer users, and I can really see the FBI being so pre-occupied because of this initiative that they stop focusing on more series issues.
I mean come on, they're describing most computer users!
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Does this mean Techspot is going to be shut down some time in the next week for harbouring so many terrorists?
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Who thought one day all geeks and people living in basements with the fear of outer world would be called terrorists.
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When you steal freedom from the people, you only create more "criminals." Thus, this whole ideology of tightening the fist is completely counter-intuitive.
This is also one reason why I will not be having children now or ever.
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RH00D said:
20th century version:
If you have blinds on your windows you may be a terrorist.
If you have tinted windows in your car you may be a terrorist.
If you wear a hat and sun glasses at the same time you may be a terrorist.
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Guest said:
This is just terrible. I'm glad i don't live in nazi country like usa. Internet is so far the last place you can exercise your freedom to say whatever you want, watch whatever you like and make it as private and as personal as you like. And seriously who ever heard about terrorists? Who ever seen one besides movies? This is retarded!
I'm glad you don't live in the USA either. We have enough space cadets with no knowledge of even the most basic laws and governmental systems.
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Ya - you must be one of those great thinkers from the FBI eh?
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treetops said:
I thought about getting another phone in my name and giving this one to young family member now I am actually a little scared to do so and that pisses me off.
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Guest said:
Ya - you must be one of those great thinkers from the FBI eh?
Yes, and as an FBI agent I can officially tell you that the sky is falling and you are all on the cyber police watchlist. Prepare your asses, we have a hundred thousand agents prepping to come down on all of you, 1984-style.
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spydercanopus said:
New line of jokes in the wake of "you might be a redneck if.." coming up.
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yRaz said:
spydercanopus said:New line of jokes in the wake of "you might be a redneck if.." coming up.
"...you don't have an internet connection to tell bad jokes with"
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That's the point - everyone's a potential threat.
With the way things are set up, we're all breaking some law and they just need more money and time and they'll have us all rounded up.
Oh, and don't worry, I'm behind seven proxies!
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Wear disguise - check
Travel to net cafe in another state - check
Pay for time in cash - check
Fire up proxies - check
Hack into DoD mainframe - check
Download pr0n - check FTW!
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Real terrorists don't live in America, and real Americans aren't terrorists. This isn't some dictatorship or communist country, every American has the right to privacy, on the internet and in reality.
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Clearly a document based on the "if you have nothing to hide, you wouldn't worry about keeping things private" school of thought.
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so , all u saying is that all american authorities are retarded, isnt it ?
oh i hope to be alive the see the fall !!!
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Terrorists communicating through xbox live...
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Darth Shiv said:
The problem with this is you have to believe the fbi etc aren't corrupt and enforce the law in a morally acceptable manor rather than doing whatever the hell they want in the name of "security".
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Because empires in decline always turn on their own citizens before the fall.
Still, I would much rather live in the US than anywhere else, mostly because we have the 2nd Amendment.
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Owning more than 2 cellphones - guilty as charged. Having more prepaid SIM cards than I actually use - also guilty as charged. Sorry, couldn't resist the bargain prices of those Chinese-made cellphones. By the way, are they going to include "posting on Techspot" ? I might have to post as "Guest" next time
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I'm a terrorist !?
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Security and Freedom through Encryption Act trumps what FBI thinks about your encrypted business dealings. Just because someone posts something on a tech website does not mean the FBI will have the right to bust through your door. If you are not a terrorist, then you have nothing to worry about. If you are conducting illegal actions, planning cyber attacks, or physical attacks, then yes--you might want to watch out.
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