German Spy Agency Seeks Millions To Monitor Social Networks

itwbennett writes: Germany's foreign intelligence agency reportedly wants to spend €300 million (about $375 million) in the next five years on technology that would let it spy in real time on social networks outside of Germany, and decrypt and monitor encrypted Internet traffic. The agency, which already spent €6.22 million in preparation for this online surveillance push, also wants to use the money to set up an early warning system for cyber attacks, the report said (Google translation of German original). A prototype is expected to be launched next June with the aim of monitoring publicly available data on Twitter and blogs.

Comments

LOL well they don't need to spy inside Germany

[Crashmarik]

The NSA is doing that for them

Movie about Edward Snowden

[Futurepower(R)]

I just saw Citizenfour. It's interesting to know how the news about Snowden got started. The movie makes the point that those who take away privacy do that because they want control.

In my opinion, destructiveness toward healthy society is an outbreak of symptoms of mental conflict.

Re:6.2Million EUR?!

[ubertopf]

If only I could read numbers ..

So much for Angela Merkel's commitment to privacy

[putaro]

Yeah, Angela Merkel was upset the NSA was spying on her (and she's actually a legitimate target as a head of state and has her own security forces who are supposed to be securing her communications) but wants to return the favor to the rest of the world. They're all the same.

Re:6.2Million EUR?!

[phantomfive]

I guess you'll have to wear a red letter now, because of miscomment on Slashdot. The rest of us always read the summary, and always read the article.

They'll catch only stupid criminals/terrorists

[knorthern knight]

Only dumb criminals/terrorists would use social networks to plan crimes. Remember how Osama Bin Laden dropped out of sight after 9/11? No cellphones, no landlines, no email, etc. Just communicating via messangers. It took the best intelligence services on the planet years to find him. After the first few splashy cases hit the news, criminals/terrorists will go back to "sneakernet", and the social-network monitoring infrastructure will go to waste.

Re:They'll catch only stupid criminals/terrorists

[Roodvlees]

But if something bad happens they'll always be able to blame someone that looks bad because of their social activity.
The purpose of these spy actions is not to stop terrorists or real criminals, but to control the population.

Re:A great opportunity!

[Wootery]

There should really be a law against black markets...

Dont you remember the stassi in 1940s?

[cheekyboy]

You idiots, why bother.

Paranoid nut cases that need to be medicated.

Re:So much for Angela Merkel's commitment to priva

[AmiMoJo]

The US is supposed to be allied with Germany. When Germany accidentally tapped the line of the US Vice President they immediately destroyed the recordings. It's call honour and treating your friends as you would hope to be treated. The US doesn't have any friends though, just be allied with it out of convenience.

It's up to you guys in the US. If you want everyone to treat you like the bunch of cunts you act like, fine, carry on. The world hates you anyway, right? If not, not being dicks to your allies might be a good start on the road to rehabilitation.