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Feds Pay Millions For Bogus Spy Software

Posted by Soulskill on from the show-of-hands-who-is-surprised dept.

gosuperninja writes "The US Government paid tens of millions of dollars to Dennis Montgomery because he said he had created software that could decode secret Al-Qaeda messages embedded in Al-Jazeera broadcasts. Even though the CIA figured out that his software was fraud in 2003, other defense agencies continued to believe in it. To date, the government has not prosecuted Montgomery, most likely to save itself the embarrassment."

4 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Likely more prevalent an issue than we realize. by Takichi · · Score: 4, Informative
    This all happened way back in the early GW Bush administration. It's unclear how many of these guys are still around. The article is definitely worth a read. There was talk of shooting down passenger aircraft over some of the "intelligence" gathered by his software (ok, so it wasn't really considered, but the fact it was suggested at all is alarming). In regards to firing the people responsible, FTA:

    The C.I.A. never did an assessment to determine how a ruse had turned into a full-blown international incident, officials said, nor was anyone held accountable. In fact, agency officials who oversaw the technology directorate — including Donald Kerr, who helped persuade George J. Tenet, then the director of central intelligence, that the software was credible — were promoted, former officials said.

  2. AJ by Ender_Wiggin · · Score: 5, Informative

    What's pretty disturbing is that the government is so gullible over such a lie that's ridiculous on its face. Really, secret messages from Al Qaeda in Al Jazeera? Why not hidden messages from Al Qaeda on MTV or CNN? That would be just as plausible.

    I'm still mystified by how much neocons despise the channel. No wonder Bush planned to bomb Al Jazeera, he was so quick to jump onto the false notion. Never mind that Al Qaeda hates Al Jazeera and has done so for years (AQ supporters call it "Al-Khinzeera," which means The Pig)

  3. Re:I saw something very similar. by roman_mir · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ha ha ha ha! You have just made my day.

    ade 651 and the company's website - they sell them to gov'ts and military at around 60,000USD/pop.

    GT200 - these are cheaper I think, about half the price of ADE. They are sold to governments.

    Quadro Tracker

    Sniffex

    hedd1

    h3tec

    etc. all of these are sold to and bought by various government institutions. From schools to military to airports to subway systems, etc.etc.

    Makes you so much securer. Or does it? Reliance on these devices KILLS people, who 'use' them and then believe the place is safe.

    --
    You can't handle the truth.
  4. Reminds me of bogus bomb detector by danceswithtrees · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yet another way to waste money in the fight against terror.

    This one sunk $85M on a bogus bomb detector used widely in Iraq until its export was banned-- ie demand for it was still present and they wanted to continue importing into Iraq! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8471187.stm

    Airport body imagers, duct tape and plastic wrap... Is there no end?