New Snowden leaks reveal UK to be birthplace of 'collect it all' mass surveillance - Polidicks

[quote]The radical shift in the NSA's surveillance strategy to "collect it all" began in the UK, according to new revelations in the latest cache of documents leaked by Edward Snowden. During a June 2008 visit to the Menwith Hill monitoring station in North Yorkshire, then-director of the NSA Keith Alexander asked: "Why can’t we collect all the signals, all the time?" He went on: "Sounds like a good summer homework project for Menwith!" Menwith Hill Station—which formerly monitored Soviet signals and is now the NSA's largest overseas spying base—expanded greatly in the wake of Alexander's challenge, as The Intercept reports in its coverage of the new Snowden documents: The leaked documents reveal that, for years, the UK and US governments put out a "cover story" that Menwith Hill Station was used to provide "rapid radio relay and conduct communications research." In fact, its striking white domes—around 30 of them—are used to eavesdrop on communications as they are sent through the air from satellites. That method contrasts with the other NSA and GCHQ bases that monitor signals passing through the fibre-optic cables linking countries. Menwith Hill Station also draws on US spy satellites orbiting above target countries around the world. The satellites can locate and capture signals on the ground below generated by mobile phones and even Wi-Fi networks. One of the most important tools used at Menwith Hill Station was Ghosthunter, the new leaks reveal, whose primary role was "to learn and establish pattern of life for known terrorists who use Internet cafes to communicate." The focus on Internet cafes is explained by the fact that in the areas of interest—mostly in the Middle East—Internet connections are often routed via VSAT satellite systems, which makes them easier to intercept.[/quote] [url]http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/09/snowden-leaks-collect-all-signals-surveillance-born-in-uk/[/url]

Wait, wasn't this known already? I mean there was a reference to this in the Avengers movie, right?

I guess Orwell was right! So much for it all being on the US, right?

[QUOTE]"Why can’t we collect all the signals, all the time?"[/QUOTE] It was that simple.

They got a challenge and completed it, can't fault their dedication.

How does this change the dialog we have about the issue? This doesn't seem like a useful leak to be honest

[QUOTE=proboardslol;51017787]How does this change the dialog we have about the issue? This doesn't seem like a useful leak to be honest[/QUOTE] One might look at it as Snowden trying to divert flak from the US In his alleged bid for pardon.

[del]facepunch forums is covertly a surveillance site to monitor and influence the british people, but failed when it allowed other people from outside to join the forums. Gmod was made to monitor internal valve activities. Gary is a double spy for Putin.[/del] To be real I wonder if the uk government has snooped on olfy.

[QUOTE=TheNerdPest14;51017741]I guess Orwell was right! So much for it all being on the US, right?[/QUOTE] More americans than brits and americans are more likely to be upset by the NSA since its more relevant and everybody else will hate on the NSA more than GCHQ since its covered more in media, has a larger budget and theres the whole "america world police" narrative.

The UK has a ridiculous amount of CCTV so i'm really not surprised we still have a massive hard-on for surveillance

[QUOTE=Ithon;51018999][del]facepunch forums is covertly a surveillance site to monitor and influence the british people, but failed when it allowed other people from outside to join the forums. Gmod was made to monitor internal valve activities. Gary is a double spy for Putin.[/del] To be real I wonder if the uk government has snooped on olfy.[/QUOTE] Seeing as how apparently the CIA writes up threat assessments posted on /pol I'd imagine someone's taken a gander at it.

No surprise, can't walk 10 metres in this country without some shitey camera taking a mugshot. Can't wait til we upgrade to city scanners!

I live near menwith hill, I went there once with an american friend who parents work there. They have a bowling ally and I got some really nice american pizza. It feels strange thinking that was same place where the current mass surveillance started.

UK: Home of modern policing since 1829. Or 1749 if you wanna widen what you'd consider "modern"

I already figured this was public knowledge? At some point we need to realize that mass surveillance is only going to hurt people, not help them.

I'm ok with mass [b]public[/b] surveillance ie cameras on every street corner. Thats about as far as I'm willing to extend myself though

[QUOTE=No Party Hats;51018934]One might look at it as Snowden trying to divert flak from the US In his alleged bid for pardon.[/QUOTE] This is my favorite anti-Snowden conspiracy theory. Snowden constantly mocks the NSA and consistently places the majority of fault on the USA for the state of global surveillance. The idea that him saying something bad about someone outside of the USA in some highly illogical plea for pardoning is just goofy.

Problem is in the UK, people have a very 'if you don't have anything to hide....' deal. My father goes on about how it's 'totally ok for celebrities and politicians to get snooped on, the public should know about corruption' 'they shouldn't have anything need hiding'.... I hate it :/

[QUOTE=nuttyboffin;51020671]Problem is in the UK, people have a very 'if you don't have anything to hide....' deal. My father goes on about how it's 'totally ok for celebrities and politicians to get snooped on, the public should know about corruption' 'they shouldn't have anything need hiding'.... I hate it :/[/QUOTE] Celebrities no, politicians yes.

[QUOTE=TheNerdPest14;51017741]I guess Orwell was right! So much for it all being on the US, right?[/QUOTE] But it was American-run?

[QUOTE=srobins;51020652]This is my favorite anti-Snowden conspiracy theory. Snowden constantly mocks the NSA and consistently places the majority of fault on the USA for the state of global surveillance. The idea that him saying something bad about someone outside of the USA in some highly illogical plea for pardoning is just goofy.[/QUOTE] Not saying I agree, I honesty don't know a lot about the situation. I've just heard the sentiment passed around.

And it'll be getting worse soon... [video=youtube;D2fSXp6N-vs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2fSXp6N-vs[/video] Always appropriate.

People in public office shouldn't be hiding things that affect their capacity to be objective in their role. Private citizens should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. The fact is, the state keeps a very close eye on what its citizens are doing in case any of them does something that could change the status-quo. That kind of thing is not allowed and is dealt with quietly. Anybody who discusses it further is just is labelled a conspiracy theorist - which does a great job of removing any credibility they had and then everything just goes back to business as usual - no more questions. [b]Every[/b] country is the same. The only difference is the way the various media organizations around the world present the "truth", depending on who they work for. This isn't some kind of privileged information that I'm sharing here - it is in fact, just obvious. Anyone can see that for themselves. Why would it be any other way? Life is a game. The rules of the game are visible everywhere. If you've got powerful friends, well done, you get to be a member of the club that makes the rules. Otherwise, sorry; you just have to play their game.