The National Security Agency (NSA) is launching a new podcast series titled “No Such Podcast” to shed light on its past missions, starting with foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity. The inaugural episode will recount the NSA’s role in the neutralization of Osama bin Laden. This initiative comes amidst a history of secrecy and controversy surrounding the agency, potentially signaling a shift towards increased transparency and public trust.
In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro’s government has been using technology to suppress dissent and silence political opponents, exploiting advanced surveillance technology to monitor and control citizens. This article highlights the need for a tech-based foreign policy strategy to counter authoritarian regimes and protect individual freedoms, focusing on protecting access to information, blocking surveillance technology, and promoting privacy rights.
The Indian government has increased surveillance for mpox at international airports and ports, focusing on travelers from Bangladesh and Pakistan. While India has yet to detect any cases, officials are monitoring the situation closely.
A 23-year-old employee of Third Wave Coffee shop in Bengaluru has been arrested for placing a mobile phone with video recording inside the women’s washroom. The phone was found hidden in a dustbin with a hole in the bag, exposing only the camera. The accused has been booked under the IT Act and BNS, and his phone has been sent for forensic analysis.
Israel and Egypt are discussing the installation of an electronic surveillance system along the Gaza-Egypt border, which could enable Israel to withdraw troops from the region as part of a potential ceasefire agreement. The proposed system, supported by the United States, aims to detect tunnels and prevent the smuggling of weapons and supplies into Gaza. While Egypt is open to the idea, it insists on maintaining the existing border arrangements established by the peace treaty. The discussions come amid ongoing ceasefire talks in Qatar and Egypt, with the focus on a temporary pause in the fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The Pakistani government has formally granted the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to intercept and trace phone calls for national security purposes. This decision, implemented through a notification under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996, follows a cabinet-level approval by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move is seen as part of the government’s broader effort to tighten control over social media platforms, particularly in the wake of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) using these platforms to reach supporters despite restrictions on traditional media.
The Biden administration has signed a bill extending and expanding the US surveillance program under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This controversial program allows US agencies to intercept and store Americans’ text messages, calls, and emails in pursuit of foreign intelligence. Despite concerns from civil liberties groups, the program has been broadened to cover a wider range of businesses, including data centers.
