The latest WikiLeaks data dump reveals how the CIA uses smart technologies to spy on people, in addition to its arsenal of spying capabilities.
The latest WikiLeaks data dump reveals how the CIA uses smart technologies to spy on people, in addition to its arsenal of spying capabilities.WikiLeaks on Tuesday published 8,671 documents it claims to have obtained from from the Central Intelligence Agency, that are part of a series the whistleblower network calls “Year Zero.”
Earlier, WikiLeaks had issued a statement explaining the subject material of “Year Zero” would be looking intricately at the numerous methods used by CIA to turn day-to-day commercial electronics like smart phones and smart TVs into spying devices.
The Tuesday cache of classified files is styled “Vault 7” by WikiLeaks, and is available on their website.
The massive amount of data could not immediately be authenticated by major news agencies. However, the CIA has declined to comment on the issue.
Jonathan Liu, a CIA spokesman, said: “We do not comment on the authenticity or content of purported intelligence documents.”
Smart phones or spy phones?
A number of files discuss the CIA’s Mobile Devices Branch (MDB) development of tools and systems to hack popular smart phones to remotely order them to send both location data as well as audio and text communications. The phones’ cameras and microphones can also be remotely activated at will.
RELEASE: Vault 7 Part 1 “Year Zero”: Inside the CIA's global hacking force https://wikileaks.org/ciav7p1
Such tools and techniques allow the CIA to hack social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Wiebo, Confide and Cloackman before encryption can be applied.
The documents cover a range of topics, including what appeared to be a discussion about how to compromise smart televisions and turn them into improvised surveillance devices.
WikiLeaks said the leaked data also included details on the agency’s efforts to subvert American software products and smartphones, including Apple’s iPhone, Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows.
A “substantial library” of digital espionage techniques borrowed from Russia and other countries is in the data as well, WikiLeaks said.
The first of many catastrophes
The Associated Press says their experts confirm the legitimacy of the files they have begun to sift through.
Jake Williams, a security expert with Rendition Infosec said: “There’s no question that there’s a fire drill going on right now.
“It wouldn’t surprise me that there are people changing careers — and ending careers — as we speak.”
Bob Ayers, a retired US intelligence official currently working as a security analyst, agreed, saying that the release was “real bad” for the agency.
The data dump could possibly jeopardise the CIA’s active operations, and reveal many secrets it would prefer to remain secret.
The classified material also has the potential to be an embarrassment to the State Department in dealing with foreign nations and US entities alike.
WikiLeaks has promised to release more CIA documents, saying Tuesday’s publication was just “the first full part of the series.”
