UK Online Safety Bill Passed; Critics Fear Impact on Free Speech
The UK’s Online Safety Bill (OSB), targeting social media companies’ user safety, has been passed after six years of deliberation. The legislation mandates platforms to protect from harmful content and remove illegal material. Critics argue it curtails free speech and gives excessive power to tech giants and regulators. Companies face fines up to £18m for […]
China Utilizes Global Shipping for Massive Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering
China has significantly expanded its influence in the global maritime trade, which accounts for 90% of worldwide trade, over the past three decades, now controlling a large portion of foreign ports and manufacturing most shipping containers and ship-to-shore cranes. This dominance enables China to gather strategic data globally, a move that blurs the lines between […]
Australian Politicians Urge U.S. to Drop Assange Prosecution Ahead of PM Visit
Australian politicians are heading to Washington, D.C. to persuade U.S. officials to halt Julian Assange’s prosecution, highlighting concerns over journalistic freedoms and the First Amendment. The case, a central issue in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s imminent state visit, is criticized globally. Despite recognizing the potential repercussions on the U.S. press, the Biden administration persists with […]
Two Turkish Individuals Arrested in Greece for Alleged Espionage at Naval Base Using Drone
Two Turkish individuals were arrested and testified in Piraeus on espionage charges after being caught using a drone to monitor a naval base in Poros, Greece. Following a search that extended to the Peloponnese region due to suspicions they fled there, the individuals were located and arrested in a Monemvasia hotel by police and the […]
Chinese Espionage Scandal Shocks UK Political Establishment
The UK is reeling from the arrest of a parliamentary researcher accused of spying for China, an event that media outlets are calling an unprecedented escalation by China, although some believe this reaction might be exaggerated. This incident has spotlighted China’s extensive global espionage activities, which have intensified since 2012 under Xi Jinping’s directive of […]
Iranian Group Targets Satellite, Defense Sectors in Sprawling Espionage Campaign
Microsoft has reported a significant cyber espionage campaign orchestrated by the Iranian group known as Peach Sandstorm, which targeted thousands of organizations in the satellite, defense, and pharmaceutical sectors. The group utilized high-volume password spray attacks and exploited known vulnerabilities in specific software products, showcasing an evolution towards more sophisticated techniques. An Iranian cyber espionage […]
CBP (Customs and Border Protection) to End Purchase of Commercial Smartphone Location Data
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will cease using commercially sourced smartphone location data, a practice criticized for potentially bypassing the Fourth Amendment. The data, obtained through vendors like Venntel allowed tracking of individual and group movements. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has informed Senator Ron Wyden of its decision to stop […]
U.S. Government Contractor Arrested for Allegedly Spying for Ethiopia
Abraham T. Lemma, a 50-year-old U.S. government contractor, has been arrested for allegedly spying for Ethiopia, a case that stands out amidst recent espionage cases predominantly linked to China. The incident casts a spotlight on the intricate U.S.-Ethiopia relations, emphasizing the delicate balance in a partnership amidst Ethiopia’s internal challenges and the broader geopolitical influences […]
Whistleblower alleges CIA bribery in COVID-19 origin probe; agency denies
A CIA whistleblower claims six analysts were bribed to reject the COVID-19 lab-leak theory, a claim arising during a Republican-led congressional investigation. The CIA denies the allegations, citing their commitment to integrity. The intelligence community is split on the virus’s origin, with ongoing inquiries demanding transparency and testimony from key figures, while some researchers dismiss […]
Intelligence Chief to Discuss Controversial Section 702 with Civil Liberties Groups
The Biden administration is facing scrutiny over the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), set to expire at the end of 2023, which allows for the collection of communications from non-U.S. individuals through U.S. systems. Despite emphasizing the tool’s importance for national security, the administration has been criticized for the […]