US Elected Officials Leap to the Aid of Consumers, Voters, and Those Who Have Not Spent Enough for Influence Peddlers

July 20, 2022

Over the years, I have enjoyed the very, very slow realization that search results are NOT objective, that user privacy is NOT a priority, and that Congressional investigations are NOT particularly rigorous. Remember those statements, “Senator, thank you for the question.” The statement is followed by jibber jabber that makes clear the person representing a giant firm does not know [a] much about what the business does, [b] is not sure about what the impact of those processes have, and [c] are mostly concerned with nest feathering and reputation grooming.

I thought about my past secret pleasures when I read “Internal Documents Show Facebook and Google Discussing Platform Strategies: The House Judiciary Committee Released New Documents Tuesday.” The write up reports as actual factual behavior:

The documents were obtained by the House Judiciary Committee as part of its lengthy investigation into anticompetitive behavior from Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook’s parent company Meta. The investigation wrapped up in 2020, but the newly published emails, memos, and reports provide new evidence backing the committee’s calls to advance tougher competition rules for the tech industry.

Okay, about a two year or more delay between having documents and fortuitously, sincerely, responsibly sharing the information.

Let’s see. I think the people releasing the documents in this expeditious manner affect high-tech companies. These are, in my opinion, exemplars of ethical capitalism which have contributed to [a] the destruction of small retail and service businesses, [b] fostered disunity with echo-chamber content recommendation scripts, [c] egregious management actions with regard to those who disagree or who generate babies in a legal department, [d] twisting procedures to create new revenue opportunities, and [e] just being all around great people at high school reunions, Aspen Institute gatherings, and at NCAA basketball playoff games.

If you want to read these documents, you can navigate to this page, live as of July 20, 2022: https://judiciary.house.gov/online-platforms-and-market-power/additional-documents.htm

My suggestion is that one should access the documents more quickly that the elected officials released them. Like information about the MIC, RAC, and ZPIC activities, data can disappear from a government Web site. Poof. Gone.

I am now officially laughing at this document dump and its timing. Ho ho ho. There are more Amazon documents than information from either Facebook or the Google. Lovable Amazon. Who knew?

Stephen E Arnold, July 20, 2022

NSO Group: Lobbying Is Often Helpful

July 20, 2022

More NSO Group news. “Pegasus Spyware Maker NSO Is Conducting a Lobbying Campaign to Get Off U.S. Blacklist.” The article states as actual factual:

NSO has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past year in payments to lobbyists, public relations companies and law firms in the U.S., in the hope of reversing the Biden administration’s November decision, according to public records filed under the Foreign Agent Registration Act and conversations with people familiar with the effort. These firms have approached members of the U.S. House and Senate, as well as various media outlets and think tanks across the U.S., on NSO’s behalf.

Who knew? NSO Group has been able to attract media attention for months.

The write up points out:

NSO is trying to get the matter raised during a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid when the former visits Israel this week. In addition, NSO lobbyists unsuccessfully tried to set up a meeting between representatives of the company and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, but it did not take place. Asked for comment, an NSO spokesperson declined to comment on the campaign but “thanked” Shomrim for publishing an article on its efforts, which he described as “supportive.”

Interesting. Why won’t world leaders do what a high tech outfit providing specialized services want?

NSO Group has been trying to explain its position; for example, the cited article notes:

In a different letter distributed by the firm this year, NSO states it has “developed a human rights governance compliance program,” saying it would conduct a review of all users to see whether they might use the technology used to “violate human rights.”

In my upcoming lecture for a law enforcement group, I point out that with each passing day it is increasingly difficult to figure out what information is “valid”. As a result, the utility of open source information is eroding. Perhaps the Golden Age of OSINT is darkened with weaponized information?

Interesting?

Stephen E Arnold, July 20, 2022

TikTok: Slipping and Dipping or Plotting and Planning?

July 15, 2022

I read “TikTok Aborts Europe, US Expansion Ambitions Shortly After US Senate Inquiry.” Surprising? Not really. TikTok and its ByteDance Ltd. “partner” is it appears rethinking how to capitalize on its popularity among the most avid, short attention span clickers. The article explains that TikTok is not too keen on selling via its baby super app. The reasons are, according to the cited article and the estimable orange newspaper, are “internal problems and failure to gain traction with consumers.”

With the management savvy of the Chinese government, it seems to me that resolving “internal problems” was a straightforward process. Identify the dissenter and let the re-education camps work their magic. The problem with “traction” is that I don’t see much hard evidence that a super app which bundles promoting, buying and selling is unpopular with consumers. The TikTok generation is pretty happy following an influencer and buying whatever the person pitches: Coffee, wellness stuff, makeup, and “so cute” gym clothes.

For me the news story is too far from the horseshoe stake of credibility. I think we have a PR play engineered to get people to say, “See, TikTok is a company which recognizes that it cannot do everything.”

I am skeptical. Here are three reasons I spelled out to my colleagues at lunch today:

  1. TikTok denizens are selling and are unlikely to stop. At some point, ByteDance is going to want a piece of the action.
  2. TikTok is becoming a  super app. Its users will demand additional functionality. If it is not delivered, the clever little clickers will create add ins. Will ByteDance sit on its hands and fail to monetize enhancements and extensions to the TikTok app?
  3. TikTok does not want to be shut down; therefore, cooing and trying to avoid getting in trouble with US and European regulators is a high priority. Why? The data are priceless.

Net net: Will TikTok do the adulting to behave in a non capitalistic manner? Pick one: [a] No or [b] No. This is less of a company versus company action and more of a government playing Go against an opponent playing checkers.

Stephen E Arnold, July 15, 2022

UK Court Not into MI5, MI6, and GCHQ Methods

July 1, 2022

I read “After Landmark Legal Defeat MI5 Will Have to Get Authorization to Snoop.” In my recent lecture for the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts, I pointed out that the political environment for certain types of information collection was volatile. Furthermore, even open sources of information come in shades of gray. This means that information available on the Web could in some situations be deemed inappropriate for use by government authorities.

The write up states:

Liberty lawyer Megan Goulding said: “This judgment is a major victory in the fight against mass surveillance. The court has agreed that it’s too easy for the security services to get their hands on our data.

Some will be happy with this ruling; others will not be thrilled. What’s clear is that the “golden age” for certain types of information access is changing. Will the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand fall in line?

Stephen E Arnold, July 1, 2022

Indonesia: Good Actors and Bad Actors May Be Interested

June 30, 2022

I am not sure how the “new” visa described in “Indonesia Is Offering A Special Visa To Remote Workers, Allowing Them To Stay There For 5 Years Tax-Free, Including The Dream Destination, Bali.” The write up reports:

Freelancers and remote workers will soon be able to work tax-free in Indonesia, including the island of Bali, as the country’s tourism minister Sandiaga Uno announced the five-year ‘digital nomad visa’…

I did not know that Indonesia had a slogan; namely, “sun, sea and sand.” The proposed visa will shift the emphasis about 180 degrees to “serenity, spirituality and sustainability.” Got it? Sure.

The write up notes:

Living tax-free isn’t always a guarantee if you’re granted a digital nomad visa. For example, Americans will still have to file taxes if they’re granted one, because the US taxes citizens based on citizenship itself, rather than their residence.

The write up points out “there are snakes in Indonesia. If the visa plan becomes a reality, a few digital snakes may enliven daily life. Bad actors with a laptop may appear to be Silicon Valley wizards eager to avoid the rigors of work elsewhere. No Zooms when the surfs up.

Stephen E Arnold, June 30, 2022

NSO Group: The EU Parliament Has an Annoyed Committee

June 27, 2022

I almost made it through a week without another wild and crazy NSO Group Pegasus kerfuffle. Almost is not good enough. I read “EU Parliament’s Pegasus Committee Fires Against NSO Group.” Do committees tote kinetic weapons in Western Europe?

The write up states:

On Tuesday (21 June), the committee scrutinized the NSO Group by questioning Chaim Gelfand, the tech firm’s General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.  The MEP and rapporteur Sophie in ‘t Veld said the way Gelfand responded to or declined to answer several questions was “an insult to our intelligence” and that there was a “complete disconnect between reality and what you are saying”.

Does this mean “dismissive”? Maybe “arrogant”? Possibly “exasperated”?

The write up includes a question from a Polish representative; to wit:

“Who and how was checking the governments of Hungary and Poland? How on earth could they be verified by you?”

Not surprisingly, NSO Group has yet to find the equivalent of Meta (Zuckbook’s spokes human). Perhaps NSO Group will find an individual who does not stimulate EU Parliament committee members to be more forceful?

Stephen E Arnold, June 27, 2022

Some Podcast Pundits Will Not Be Outputting from China

June 27, 2022

I read “China Bans Over 30 Live-Streaming Behaviors, Demands Qualifications to Discuss Law, Finance, Medicine.” (You will have to pay to read the full text of the story. Because… capitalism.) The main point of this story is that live streaming and probably any other digital outputting will be subject to scrutiny. Topics are tricky. In general, one must have “qualifications” beyond having worked for a “real news” outfit or graduated from a university which accepts bribes for non rowing crew members.

Other issues involve showing flashy goods and products or flouncing on a foam mattress whilst throwing cash money in the air.

The big point is that those outputting content have to have qualifications. And what are those qualifications? The article does suggest that the Chinese government is not providing that type of irrelevant detail. I assume that once a violator who chatters about law, medicine, money, or some similar minor subject, the full scope of the transgression will be addressed at re-education programs.

Pull off a deep fake like smart software telling Seinfeld jokes and you may get special attention. Have you ever heard about Chinese death vans? No. If you run into me at a conference, be sure to ask. I have a photo too.

Will podcasts and podcasters, streamers, and other assorted creator outputs be regulated in the US?

That’s a question to which I don’t have an answer. Digital remains a Wild West. No sheriffs, US marshals, or re-education camp directors in sight.

For now.

Stephen E Arnold, June 27, 2022

Singapore: How Disneyland with a Death Penalty Approaches Crypto

June 23, 2022

I read “Singapore Regulator Vows to Be Unrelentingly Hard on Crypto.” The approach seems to be a bit different from the control mechanisms used in the US. (You will have to pay to read the orange newspaper’s story.) The write up states:

Singapore will be “brutal and unrelentingly hard” on bad behavior in the crypto industry, according to its fintech policy chief, marking a stark shift in rhetoric after years of the city-state courting the sector.

The report suggests that Singapore sees value in a central bank digital currency and a “platform” for financial activities.

From my perspective, [a] Singapore understands the potential upsides and downsides of crypto currency and wants to be a player, [b] Singapore sees a void because certain leading nation states are dithering, and [c] there’s money to be made.

Money, control, and filling a void — Good reasons perhaps.

Stephen E Arnold, June xx, 2022

EU: Tech Wolf Pack Must Track Down and Kill Deep Fakes

June 20, 2022

I read “EU Wants Big Tech to Address Deepfakes or Face Consequences.” The European Union has decided that the members of the Big Tech Wolf Pack can solve a semi-difficult problem. A deepfake is a content object that has been manipulated to deceive. I suppose there are better definitions, but let’s roll with this simple one.

Is a doctored image in a TikTok video a deepfake? What about a company which uses a fake persona to sell something? An example would be a digital Betty Crocker. What about a video produced with DaVinci Resolve, a free software that permits Hollywood style special effects? What about a grumpy neighbor posting a shaped story about the couple living in a trailer who throw trash into the parking area? What about a real news person writing about a new crypto venture fund and using some colorful adjectives to stimulate interest? What about videos of certain activities between a cartoon character and a faux human? (Is it a fake or is it a new genre?)

I don’t know about you, but the line between real and fake is a tough one to discern.

The write up states:

According to an EU document obtained by Reuters, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and other tech giants will have to combat deepfakes and fake accounts or face heavy fines under a revised European Union code of practice.

Here’s the part I like after a couple of decades of just handing out fines that are the equivalent of lunches at staff meetings for a couple of weeks. (Love that gluten free pizza and those kale salads, right?)

The code says that signatories will create, enforce, and execute explicit policies against unacceptable manipulative behaviors and practices on their platforms, based on the most recent evidence on hostile actors’ conduct, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

And what are the consequences? How about up to six percent of global revenue? That will keep the lawyers and accountants busy?

Does this approach sound possible? Sure, but the effort may prove to be impossible as technology marches on? Is that voice answering system’s recording of Bugs Bunny a deep fake? What about a Zoom background that shows me paying attention when I am not? (That happens on most of my Zoomies.) Perhaps yours too?

Stephen E Arnold, June 20, 2022

NSO Group: Is This a Baller Play to Regain Its PR Initiative or a Fumble?

June 15, 2022

Secrecy and confidentiality are often positive characteristics in certain specialized software endeavors. One might assume that firms engaged in providing technology, engineering support, and consulting services would operate with a low profile. I like to think of my first meeting with Admiral Craig Hosmer. We each arrived at the DC Army Navy Club at 2 30 pm Eastern time. The Admiral told me where to sit. He joined me about 15 minutes later. The Club was virtually empty; the room was small but comfortable; and the one staff member was behind the bar doing what bartenders do: Polishing glasses.

Looking back on that meeting in 1974, I am quite certain no one knew I was meeting the Admiral. I have no idea where the Admiral entered the building nor did I see who drove him to the 17th Street NW location. My thought is that this type of set up for a meeting was what I would call “low profile.”

US Defence Contractor in Talks to Take Over NSO Group’s Hacking Technology” illustrates what happens when the type of every day precautions Admiral Hosmer took are ignored. A British newspaper reports:

The US defence contractor L3Harris is in talks to take over NSO Group’s surveillance technology, in a possible deal that would give an American company control over one of the world’s most sophisticated and controversial hacking tools. Multiple sources confirmed that discussions were centered on a sale of the Israeli company’s core technology – or code – as well as a possible transfer of NSO personnel to L3Harris.

Okay, so much for low profiling this type of deal.

I am not sure what “multiple sources” mean. If someone were writing about my meeting the Admiral, the only sources of information would have been me, the Admiral’s technical aide (a nuclear scientist from Argonne National Laboratory), and probably the bartender who did not approach the area in which the former chair of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy were sitting.

But what have we got?

  1. A major newspaper’s story about a company which has made specialized services as familiar as TikTok
  2. Multiple sources of information. What? Who is talking? Why?
  3. A White House “official” making a comment. Who? Why? To whom?
  4. A reference to a specialized news service called “Intelligence Online”. What was the source of this outfit’s information? Is that source high value? Why is a news service plunging into frog killing hot water?
  5. Ramblings about the need to involve government officials in at least two countries. Who are the “officials”? Why are these people identified without specifics?
  6. References to human rights advocates. Which advocates? Why?

Gentle reader, I am a dinobaby who was once a consultant to the company which made this term popular. Perhaps a return to the good old days of low-profiling certain activities is appropriate?

One thing is certain: Not even Google’s 10-thumb approach to information about its allegedly smart software can top this NSO Group PR milestone.

Stephen E Arnold, June 15, 2022

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