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The FBI Director Puts Tape Over His Webcam (npr.org)

Posted by msmash on from the warrant-proof-webcam dept.

Martin Kaste, reporting for NPR: FBI Director James Comey gave a speech this week about encryption and privacy, repeating his argument that "absolute privacy" hampers law enforcement. But it was an offhand remark during the Q&A session at Kenyon College that caught the attention of privacy activists. Kaste points to a tweet by The Kenyon Collegian, "Comey admits he puts a piece of tape over the webcam lens on his laptop." The thought of the FBI chief taping over his webcam is an arresting one for many. His comment Wednesday was in response to a question about growing public awareness of the ways technology can spy on people, and he acknowledged sharing in the surveillance anxiety. "I saw something in the news, so I copied it. I put a piece of tape -- I have obviously a laptop, personal laptop -- I put a piece of tape over the camera. Because I saw somebody smarter than I am had a piece of tape over their camera." Not everyone is a fan. Security and privacy activist Christopher Soghoian said, "FBI Director Comey has created a "warrant-proof webcam" that will thwart lawful surveillance should he ever be investigated. Shame on him."

9 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. Must have something to hide by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only people who would object to such surveillance are those who have something to hide.

  2. I thought most intelligent people did that by ChodaBoyUSA · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Personally, I believe manufacturers should add a mechanical switch that disables camera and microphone that cannot be overridden via software.

    1. Re:I thought most intelligent people did that by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That would probably add 25 cents of cost to a $500 device.

      It would cost far more than that just to handle all the tech support calls from people complaining that their cameras and microphones don't work.

      But yes, yes they should.

      No, they shouldn't. I trust black tape far more than I trust a mechanical switch that someone else installed.

  3. High quality satire by Cytotoxic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Christopher Soghoian said, "FBI Director Comey has created a "warrant-proof webcam" that will thwart lawful surveillance should he ever be investigated.

    That is some high-quality satire right there. Too bad it will be lost on pretty much everyone outside our community. It is rare to see something so concise and on-point - thanks for including that quote!

  4. Who doesn't? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Seriously, are there really people who don't put tape on their web cams?

    1. Re:Who doesn't? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Personal anecdote: I have installed Linux Mint on a fair number of different semi-modern laptops over the last few years. On every single one of them, everything has simply worked, out of the box, including webcams, networking (wired as well as wireless), bluetooth, sound and graphics.

      So, I get the joke, but it doesn't have much bearing on reality these days, in my experience.

  5. Everyone has something to hide. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only people who would object to such surveillance are those who have something to hide.

    If one were to look closely enough at anyone, one can find something they are doing that is illegal. On average, everyone commits three felonies a day. I guarantee you that if I looked into your life, I'd find something to put you in jail for.

    And with out wars on drugs, terrorism, child pornography, and the Patriot Act, we have turned into a police state. And with political parties having the elite choose who we get to vote for, I for one do not think we live in a free country any longer.

    We have given our freedoms away for security and there's no turning back.

    1. Re:Everyone has something to hide. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      s/he yelled at the judge while being dragged away

  6. Re:Is it news? by Solandri · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This isn't some new capability, nor is it exclusive to the FBI. Hackers and script kiddies have turned it into an underground industry primarily aimed at spying on young women.

    If you don't use your webcam, you'd be stupid not to cover it with tape. Comey isn't doing it because he knows the government can use it to spy on him as TFA and summary implies. He's doing it because he knows the emperor has no clothes and anyone can use it to spy on him.