Spyware Firms in Breach of Global Sanctions (aljazeera.com)

Posted by msmash on Monday April 10, 2017 @02:40AM from the deep-dive-into-the-shady-world dept.

From a report on Al Jazeera: Spy equipment producers are breaking laws and circumventing international sanctions by agreeing to sell stock to countries known for human rights abuses, and to clients who do not declare the end user -- meaning surveillance tools could easily fall into the hands of armed groups, corporations, governments cracking down on dissent, or opposition leaders, an exclusive investigation by Al Jazeera reveals. During "Spy Merchants", a four-month undercover operation, Al Jazeera secretly filmed representatives of two Italian companies and one Chinese business agreeing to sell spyware that is capable of tracking millions of people online and able to intercept phone calls and text messages without anyone finding out. The vendors boasted of being able to side-step the law by using sister and shell companies and explained how to possibly circumvent export regulations by lying about the details of shipments and using third countries exempted from certain rules as stopping places.

3 of 29 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

I'd like to know ... by PPH · 2017-04-10 03:11 · Score: 3, Funny

... how Canada ever got their hands on this stuff.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
1. Re:I'd like to know ... by Nidi62 · 2017-04-10 03:15 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  ... how Canada ever got their hands on this stuff.
  Seeing as how it's Canada they probably asked very politely.
  
  --
  The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
im sure reactions were panicked. by nimbius · 2017-04-10 03:42 · Score: 3, Funny

"Christs whiskers you guys!! did you know we're violating global sanctions?!?! pull the plug! weve got to stop this insanity before its too late!"
--no spyware vendor, ever.

--
Good people go to bed earlier.