The hottest Surveillance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Dems Blast "Threat" Of "So-Called Journalists" As Taibbi, Shellenberger Expose "State-Sponsored Thought-Policing"

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 39 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Journalism Civil Rights Surveillance
  1. Dems are criticizing 'so-called journalists' like Taibbi and Shellenberger for exposing state-sponsored thought-policing
  2. The United States is being likened to Nazi Germany, with various secret police agencies demanding total obedience
  3. Access to full post archives requires a 7-day free trial subscription to Global Community Weekly

An FBI-partnered chatroom infiltration firm tried to sell me cellphone location data

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 101 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance Data Tracking National Security AI Internet
  1. An FBI-partnered firm tried to sell cellphone location data in a chatroom infiltration pitch.
  2. The firm touted the quality and depth of their social media surveillance data compared to competitors.
  3. The firm outsourced cellphone location-tracking to a partner and had key figures from Babel Street in their ranks.

🗞️ AI is a 'public problem'; 'Fauxmation'; and the surveillance AI pipeline.

Untangled with Charley Johnson • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Surveillance Ethics Generative AI
  1. Generative AI should be considered a public problem requiring collective consideration.
  2. Technology problems are not just about technology, but also about social, cultural, political, and economic factors.
  3. An important aspect of addressing AI issues is to collectively debate, account for, and manage them.
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Pentagon is Combining Corporate Records and Social Media Surveillance to Guide Hacking and Influence Operations

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 101 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military Intelligence Surveillance Cyber Operations Information Warfare
  1. Pentagon is combining corporate records and social media surveillance for hacking and influence operations.
  2. Corporate surveillance firms were discussing providing bulk surveillance data for purposes like protecting the NATO brand.
  3. U.S. military and intelligence agencies are developing offensive information warfare industry using social media surveillance, corporate records analysis, and cellphone location-tracking.

Pollster for Niger coup support is a surveillance platform for U.S. Special Operations Forces

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 61 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Surveillance Intelligence
  1. A poll on Niger's coup support was conducted by a company that serves as a surveillance platform for U.S. Special Operations Forces.
  2. Premise Data, the pollster, has connections to U.S. military training and operations in various countries.
  3. Other U.S. intelligence contractors, like Two Six Technologies, also use polling as a cover for covert operations.

The Sack of Rome: Elon Musk's Digital Coup

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 4 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data Privacy Political Influence Cybersecurity Surveillance
  1. Elon Musk and his team may have gained significant access to sensitive government data, making them very powerful and potentially more influential than political leaders. This raises serious security and privacy concerns.
  2. There are worries about how this data access could lead to unethical practices, including possible manipulation or misuse of information for personal or corporate gain.
  3. If Musk creates an 'everything app' that combines various datasets, it could lead to a loss of privacy and control for individuals, making people vulnerable to financial or social consequences without clear accountability.

Former Google CEO promotes integration of Google and Anduril tech for use by Pentagon

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 81 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🕹 Technology Tech Integration AI Military Tech Surveillance
  1. Former Google CEO is promoting the integration of Google and Anduril technologies for use by the Pentagon.
  2. The event highlighted the importance of surveillance technologies like Fitbits and GPS watches in military strategy.
  3. Concerns were raised about conflicts of interest and private industry's involvement in military and intelligence events.

Europe's Financial Crime Hunters

False Positive • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💰 Finance Money Laundering Financial Markets Regulations Surveillance
  1. ACER, an EU agency, functions as supranational detectives to monitor energy markets in all member states and detect international manipulation.
  2. Energy market liberalization created opportunities for financial crimes like manipulation through financial contracts rather than actual energy trading.
  3. The EU is establishing AMLA to combat cross-border money laundering, introducing a supranational monitoring system to address weaknesses in the current national-level approach.

The Rise of Surveillance Bureaucracy

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance Bureaucracy Digital technology Privacy Ethics
  1. Surveillance bureaucracy uses digital technologies like sensors, cameras, and monitoring software to improve efficiency and compliance in both government and business.
  2. The rise of surveillance bureaucracy has unintended consequences, leading to resistance and workarounds by surveilled individuals in various industries.
  3. Challenges from non-profit organizations and legal battles are emerging to address the ethical implications of digital surveillance technologies and the need for privacy protections.

Surveillance firm proposes "Border GPT"

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 61 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance Data Analysis Artificial Intelligence Privacy Concerns
  1. Surveillance firm proposes 'Border GPT' for border agents to use language models on traveler data.
  2. Different panel members have varying opinions on the integration of AI and surveillance tech in border enforcement.
  3. Importance of engaging tech companies with border enforcement agencies for efficient use of resources.

How Did American Capitalism Mutate Into American Corporatism?

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Corporations Government Technology Surveillance
  1. American capitalism has transformed into corporatism where government and large corporations have intertwined interests, blurring the lines between the public and private sectors.
  2. Tech companies and big corporations now cater to government demands and hold immense power over various aspects of daily life, such as information dissemination, consumer choices, and even surveillance.
  3. The shift from a consumer-driven economy to one dominated by corporatism has led to economic disparities and challenges in identifying true power dynamics, presenting a significant contemporary societal challenge.

Google has Usurped Democracy

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections Manipulation Indoctrination Surveillance
  1. Elections are vulnerable to manipulation through search engine rankings, influencing undecided voters significantly.
  2. Google's extensive surveillance through various platforms raises privacy concerns, including features like microphones in smart devices.
  3. Google's dominance in online platforms allows for manipulation, censorship, and bias in content dissemination, impacting political campaigns, elections, and public opinions.

Open Agency model can solve the AI regulation dilemma

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Models Antitrust Surveillance
  1. Concerns about AI regulation revolve around AI monopolization and concentration of power.
  2. The Open Agency model proposes approved specialized AI services and glue AIs to prevent concentration of power.
  3. This model aims to address core concerns of anti-AI regulation individuals regarding power concentration and freedom of political and ethical views.

Thiel-backed startup began contracting on "off-grid" facial recognition with U.S. Air Force

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 40 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Facial Recognition Startups Military Tech Privacy Surveillance
  1. The Thiel-backed startup goTenna is working with the U.S. Air Force on off-grid facial recognition.
  2. Clearview AI also had similar contracts with the Air Force for facial recognition technology.
  3. goTenna's expansion into military facial recognition is attracting more attention and scrutiny.

Threat Model

Reboot • 21 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Privacy Security Internet Surveillance Digital ethics
  1. In the age of the internet, it's challenging to disappear in America due to the digital footprint left by basic needs like addresses, bank cards, and online accounts.
  2. There is a small community of tech-savvy individuals focused on extreme privacy, using specialized tools like privacy-focused operating systems, encrypted communication, and anonymous browsing.
  3. Extreme privacy can be isolating and exhausting, leading to a constant balance between the desire for privacy and the inherent risks and limitations of disappearing from the public eye.

Generative AI and the Dark Forest

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Internet Video Scams Surveillance
  1. Generative AI has the potential for positive impacts like scientific breakthroughs, but its negatives such as military misuse and media disruption may outweigh the benefits.
  2. The influx of fake content, scams, and deep fakes created by AI poses serious challenges, leading to a digital garbage dump on the internet.
  3. While AI can enable innovative capabilities like text-to-video technology, the sheer volume of content may lead to apathy and lack of creativity in media production.

Devour Me, Mummy

Reactionary Feminist • 25 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Surveillance Digital Culture Online behavior
  1. Thirty percent of zoomers support surveillance cameras in homes, linking to a decline in democratic norms and a rise in authoritarian control.
  2. The shift towards supporting surveillance may be influenced by factors like early childcare experiences and internet citizenship norms.
  3. Younger generations, accustomed to digital surveillance and online authority, are transitioning towards post-liberal subjects.

Chat Control and the New Panopticon

Hack or Be Hacked • 1 HN point • 24 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Regulation Surveillance Privacy Communication Censorship
  1. Chat control involves real-time monitoring and censorship of online communication, raising concerns about privacy and online safety.
  2. The implementation of chat control could lead to mass surveillance resembling George Orwell's '1984', allowing for potential misuse and ineffective prevention of crimes.
  3. Chat control not only poses a threat to privacy but also has the potential to limit freedom of speech by inducing self-censorship and promoting self-regulation of thought.

The Real Reason for Vaccine Passports

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Digital control Personal freedom Surveillance
  1. Tracking vaccine status could lead to monitoring everything you do, say, and believe for control purposes, affecting access to various things, even money.
  2. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) may play a significant role in this type of monitoring and control.
  3. Examples of consequences include losing positions due to social media activity and the potential impact on financial systems.

Cellphone location-tracking firm follows in Palantir's footsteps with Large Language Model

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 20 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis Government Contracts
  1. Babel Street announced the launch of its "Insights GPT" large language model.
  2. Babel Street aims to transition from a cellphone location-tracking firm to an artificial intelligence company.
  3. The Insights GPT platform may have significant government surveillance use cases, such as summarizing data on the Chinese Communist Party.

CIA Had Foreign Allies Spy On Trump Team, Triggering Russia Collusion Hoax, Sources Say

Michael Shellenberger • 7 HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigation Intelligence Scandal Surveillance
  1. The United States Intelligence Community, including the CIA, used foreign spy agencies to target Trump advisors before the alleged collusion with Russia.
  2. The FBI should not have begun its investigation into Trump and Russia collusion in 2016, according to a special prosecutor for the Department of Justice.
  3. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance was used to surveil Trump's associates, with 26 of them specifically targeted for contact and manipulation.

Head of CIA OSINT emphasizes centrality of Twitter and Telegram surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 4 HN points • 28 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Surveillance Data Analysis National Security Congress
  1. The head of CIA OSINT highlights the importance of surveillance on Twitter and Telegram for gathering open source intelligence.
  2. CIA's focus on AI technology has improved data analysis efficiency for vast amounts of surveillance data.
  3. The CIA incorporates controversial surveillance technologies like facial recognition and cellphone tracking data into their open source intelligence methodology.

Cloud fortress

Metal Machine Music by Ben Tarnoff • 19 implied HN points • 15 Nov 19
🕹 Technology Platforms Privacy Surveillance Activism Data
  1. The expanding definition of 'platforms' in tech can have significant implications, shaping responsibilities and liabilities of tech companies.
  2. The use of platforms in law enforcement can impact accountability, public trust, and insulation from criticism and legal action.
  3. Historical instances of groups like CLODO attacking computer centers highlight concerns over surveillance, control, and societal impacts of computerization.

Leaked video claims tech companies staffing up with ex-cops and becoming increasingly responsive to wiretap demands

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 3 HN points • 23 May 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance Data Privacy Tech Companies Security
  1. Tech companies are hiring ex-cops and are more responsive to wiretap demands
  2. PenLink representative Scott Tuma revealed details of cooperation between tech companies and law enforcement
  3. Police are obtaining data from tech companies like Google and Snapchat for surveillance purposes

Exclusive: Inside 'Trident Spectre', the yearly tech experimentation program for Navy SEALs

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 1 HN point • 13 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Military Intelligence Surveillance Defense Artificial Intelligence
  1. Trident Spectre is a technology experiment program for Navy SEALs focused on deterrence and experimentation with various capabilities.
  2. The Trident Spectre exercise includes classified sessions, international participation, and testing in a 'high fail' environment at Fort Story.
  3. Trident Spectre encourages teamwork and innovation, seeking unexpected effects similar to the accidental discovery of Viagra.

Dealing with the next pandemic

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Vaccination Surveillance Prevention Disease Control
  1. Understanding the connection between bats and viruses is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
  2. Focusing on early identification of human-to-human transmission is key to mitigating the health and economic impacts of pandemics.
  3. Developing a global surveillance system to monitor antibodies to various viruses can provide real-time information to detect and respond to outbreaks.

George Orwell’s Warning for Our Time

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 10 Dec 22
📚 Literature Dystopian Totalitarianism Freedom Technology Surveillance
  1. George Orwell's novel "1984" warns about oppressive government control and surveillance, which is still relevant today.
  2. Orwell's story reminds us of the fragility of freedom and the dangers of totalitarianism, especially in the age of technology and government surveillance.
  3. The key lessons from "1984" include the importance of protecting civil liberties, fighting against oppressive regimes, and being mindful of the ethical use of technology.

North Korea Is Ransomware's New Kid on the Block

Seriously Risky Business • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Data Privacy Surveillance Cryptocurrency Social media
  1. North Korea has entered the ransomware business, using different tools and posing potential challenges with their cyber activities.
  2. The US and other countries are implementing coordinated sanctions to disrupt ransomware payment ecosystems and deter cybercriminals.
  3. Biden's emphasis on privacy in the State of the Union address could potentially lead to bipartisan support for comprehensive data privacy laws, focusing on enhancing consumer rights, industry standards, and cybersecurity.