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The CIA Built a Fake Software Update System To Spy On Intel Partners (theverge.com)
Documents published by Wikileaks reveal a secret project to siphon out data through its technical liaison service, dating back to 2009. The Verge reports: The program, called ExpressLane, is designed to be deployed alongside a biometric collection system that the CIA provides to partner agencies. In theory, those partners are agreeing to provide the CIA with access to specific biometric data -- but on the off-chance those partners are holding out on them, ExpressLane gives the agency a way to take it without anyone knowing. ExpressLane masquerades as a software update, delivered in-person by CIA technicians -- but the documents make clear that the program itself will remain unchanged. Instead, the program siphons the system's data to a thumb drive, where agents can examine it to see if there's anything the partner system is holding back. If the partners refuse the phony update, there's a hidden kill-switch that lets agents shut down the entire system after a set period of time, requiring an in-person visit to restore the system.
Guess who's going to prison... nobody!
Yes! These damning leaks need to stop, how can we commit abuses against our own citizens otherwise. Don't worry, I'm sure the CIA only used this on foreign Intel partners in this case. We are already trying to work out who is responsible for leaking the document do we can charge them with espionage and treason.
why's the CIA spying on Intel and its partners?
It's usually just plain called "Industrial Espionage".
The CIA will claim it is necessary to ensure US military technology superiority against any potential threats.
Victims of Industrial Espionage see it differently . . . the whole point is to "help out" US tech companies compete against foreign folks. To return the favor, the US tech companies "help out" the CIA/NSA if they need any back doors in their products.
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
Nothing in the US makes sense anymore