Opinion: The US better clean in-house [before it tries to become the “world police” again]

The United States has as long as I can remember, always tried to show the world the way and how to morally act. It was integral part of our lives, the US would come out with statements, issue sanctions and do it from a plateau of moral superiority combined with the political integrity it needed.

However, with the diplomatic wordings, the spectrum of power and the ideals has dwindled for every year. Also, in the 2020 and so on, the realities of what’s happening back-home is going viral world-wide. The whole world can see footage, see the violations and breeches of the authorities towards its citizens. Combined with the rhetoric and usage of power from the White House. There is no difference between President Trump and any “Strong-Man or “Big-Man” elsewhere.

The US has been the military power and the biggest armed force since the World World II. It has run the world with their arms and their trade. However, the power is shifting and the greatness is about fall. Also, the wheels of its morals and deprivation is also getting clear. The political finesse and skills towards having friendly relations is also dying. These sort of men who leads the US right now. Only segregate the US from the world, the world is getting further away and not getting closer. Soon people are more into Nollywood and Bollywood, than into Hollywood.

Well, the United States is falling and failing. It’s a Banana Republic with a President who doesn’t know the laws nor his role in-charge. His a racists prick in power of a multicultural Republic, which he cannot bath in his narcissists virtues of self glory.

The US is become distant, but also showing the world its ugly side. The extra judicial killings, the police brutality, racial discrimination and the abuse of minorities. That is the reality the world sees. The world see the way law enforce arrest, tear-gas and oppress demonstrators. The way the media is hurt, arrested and silenced. This is all going viral, all the hurt and the killings. The names of the deceased is released and their stories of their fatalities are told. The violations of international law and human rights violations is clear.

The lack of free speech, ability to assemble and so fourth, which is even enshrined in the US Constitution isn’t respected by the Trump Administration. The Trump Administration is even wanting more violence, using more force and wants to shoot at the civilians. That is the sort of leadership that is there.

With this sort of management. The US Administration and US Government better not tell any other Nation how to take care of their own and react to their dissidents. Because, the US better clean up shop and live up to their own ideals. Before they address any other nation. This isn’t the land of free, home of the brave. This the land of oppress and waiting for their early grave.

So, before the US State Department ever consider writing a statement, raising issues on demos and riots elsewhere. Remember this last two weeks. Remember how you conducted itself and the sort of hurt you managed to put on your own. This is all to act strong in Office, but the authorities are really weak. When you cannot manage to listen and understand the grief, the anger and pain, which the public is carrying. If they wasn’t carrying it like that. They wouldn’t be on the streets voicing it out in this manner.

Next time another Nation acts out and answer with violence towards the dissidents. United States of America do yourself a favour and listen to the advice of Jules from ‘Pulp Fiction’: “Shut the fuck up, fat man!”. Peace.

My Letter to President Trump: You could do better, but that’s not in you…

Dear Sir, His Excellency, Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. This letter is to you.

Even if I know you won’t read this, because this will not be ass-kissing your royal highness and turpitude of your entitlement.

Let me first take a piece of what he said in a National Address yesterday:

“Today I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets, Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law-enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled. If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them” (Donald J. Trump, 01.06.2020).

You know Mr. President, your not for the people, their rights nor their needs to address the police brutality, the racial discrimination in society and extra judicial killings of the African American citizens. This is something you wouldn’t even consider in this minute or the little time your in office.

Instead your using the office of amplify the vast difference, your instead using force against your own and the citizens of the United States. Because you got no moral compass or understanding the anger, the desperation and the voiceless communities within the Republic.

It is not you Mr. President have done anything to help these people? Not like you have matched or made any programs to help the African American communities. No sir, you have made it worse during your time. Your paying the rich with vast tax-cuts, while the urban poverty is rising. This is all happening on your watch. People kicked of Medicare and Medicaid. That is the sort of man your are and where your heart lays.

Mr. President your acting like strong-man, but your sincerely weak. Are pussy with a gun, maybe not your own. Still, your armed guards, the army and police force is behind you. However, these people boost your ego, but your not a man to build anything. You only destroy and someone else got to rebuild after you. Because, you only had help from the mafia to build your Trump Tower. If it wasn’t for them, the builders wouldn’t have built your pride long-ago in New York City. However, that is water under the bridge now.

“They declare that it is unpatriotic and disruptive to question the workings of authority–but patriotic to institute harsh and regressive policies that benefit the wealthy, undermine social programs that serve the needs of the great majority, and subordinate a frightened population to increased state control.” – Noam Chomsky

The words of Chomsky fits like glove. The police brutality, racial discrimination and the systematic marginalization of certain communities only boils down to this. It is the planned, seeking and securing the future of a selected group and not the whole mass of the population. Even using all means to undermine others. Mass incarceration and so fourth. The African Americans and other communities in America is hit hard, because the United States and the President let his happen.

Mr. President, you could change this. You could stop the deaths of innocent lives. Instead your ordering the army to the streets to quell demonstrations. Instead of listening to the pleas of your citizens. Your bringing tear-gas, rubber-bullets and hardships to your citizens.

You could have listen Mr. President, but that’s not you?

I know you got two ears, but we are only hearing your foul mouth and lack of tolerance for others than yourself. I know your one the side of White Supremacists and Alt-Right fringes. Your a man whose racists and your legislation says so. The weaponizing of ICE, border-wall and blocking of immigration says it all. So, its not like your the man for the minorities nor for the African American community. We know this Mr. President and you knows this as well.

That’s why your feeding your own base by beating down on the Black Lives Matter, just like you kicked at NFL and Colin Kaepernick for his taking the knee during the National Anthem. Because, in this sense, the African American cannot demonstrate. If they write, its tarnished, if they speak, it’s silenced and if they take a stand in public its wrong. Therefore, that community cannot win. However, the White Supremacist can walk with guns and stand by the chambers of powers without any issues. Do you see what you did there, Mr. President?

It is time for you to be a man. I knw your old and should be one already. However, your actions Mr. President. Is a self-serving son-of-a-bitch. Not of a man whose accountable and transparent, neither is that part of your Modus Operandi. You rather hide and later blow out steam. Your all big words, but no true guts. You cannot deal, but only break them. You cannot even pay for your rallies in towns and cover your bills.

Mr. President you should grow a pair of balls, but I think that is bit a late. The party is already thrown. You could show character and resilience, you could listen and take in the plight of the citizens who are on the streets. Who are part of the Nation, whose forgotten and whose easily taken away by the authorities. These are the ones who make America great, but you rather have your inner-circle on a Golf-Course. Because, your ego is so depleted, that it cannot see the greatness of the multi-cultural America.

You can swear on a bible, you can try to find your Second Corinthians and see if you get some knowledge. I know, even the words of the proverbs are to technical to fit your narrative. There are to many big-words and eternal knowledge for your mind. I am afraid, Mr. President that it would make your blood boil and also undress your ignorance.

Mr. President, your pathetic. Instead of being a leader, your the one whose losing a grip. Your sending the army against your own. Your causing more harm and wanting to go to war against your own. Was that an advice from Putin in your recent call? I wouldn’t be shocked, his your go-to-guy for advice.

Mr. President, you have forgotten your place, your role and your station. I didn’t expect you to manage this. You couldn’t even win, when you ran the house at two Casinos. It isn’t in you to win properly. You can license your name… but you cannot render any sort of trust at this point. Neither can you collect people together. Because, your dismissive of the tolls of people.

The only thing you have is guns, glamour and violence. State sponsored violence and despair of the innocent lives. Using lethal fire, using brutal means to silence their voices. That is why this is happening. It is blood on the streets and its on your watch.

Mr. President, you could do better, however, its not in you. You don’t have the moral nor the understanding to get it. You rather use guns and bracelets, instead of asking why and finding answers to their needs. That is beyond you, because that doesn’t help your selfish reasons for staying in office.

Best Regards

Writer of Minbane

Opinion: When the state creates enemies without investigations, you know your in trouble Part II

“With the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country, the voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements. Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate, violent, and extremist agenda” (…) “To identify criminal organizers and instigators, and to coordinate federal resources with our state and local partners, federal law enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF). The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly” – Attorney General William Barr (Attorney General William P. Barr’s Statement on Riots and Domestic Terrorism, 31.05.2020).

This is clear continuation from the Department of Justice to use Anti-Fascists as the target. The US Justice system is targeting the ones who fight against fascists, which is really rare. They are really showing their true face to the world. That explains why they so violently are targeting minorities and the African-Americans. If the Law Enforcement is there to shield the Fascists and racists. That is the base of the President, his Alt-Right and White Supremacist base will surely be fuelled by this.

However, there is no direct Antifa group, it is in ideology, which could be pinned on various groups of people. These are the ones whose mission is to expose and fight the ones who wants to collectively destroy multiculturalism and works for ideology based on the belief that one race is better than another. That is what fascists believes. By making Anti-Fascist terrorist, they are directly supporting Fascists.

That is the message the Department of Justice and Attorney General sends. This is happenings, as the President is tweeting, that his administration is working on declaring “Antifa” an terrorist organization.

The thing is, that the are several of groups, who has the ideals of Antifa, but none is it directly. They are fighting the Neo-Nazi’s of America. They are countering the racist ideologies and their outfits. As there are plenty of those, who are both militant and dangerous. That is why they have participating in looting and destruction during these riots and demonstrations. As they have spiked the violence and also done damage to society. That is why the Law Enforcement has arrested White Supremacists, whose worked to make it seems that peaceful protesters are engaging in destruction of property and such.

This is why the AG mission to ensure the narrative. Even without the justification from the Law Enforcement in the various of states. His just pinning the crime on someone, an invisible entity and politicising it too. Instead of actually following leads, proof and evidence. He has already scoped at an invisible force and calling it a day.

That is what’s so rare and unique. Creating enemies out of ideology, instead of actually crime committed. Secondly, incriminating a set of belief and values, which is to directly oppose the fascists. That also something I never thought I would write in 2020, but apparently I am. Because, the Department of Justice and President is on the side of Fascists. Since, they are targeting the Antifa now.

If you ever wonder why the Republican Party is morally bankrupt and is running on agenda that is not people friendly. Remember they are fighting the people who believe in multiculturalism and who doesn’t see race. Remember that the GOP is now in bed with White Supremacist and the ones who fight against the ideal of the civil rights movement. The ones who wants to continue to put a bondage on the African American communities and Minorities of the United States. That’s who they are and they not even concealing it anymore. The gloves are off. Peace.

USA: Time for a UN Team of Experts to Investigate US Police Brutality and Ethnic Violence

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” – Matthew 7:11-12, New International Version

If it was any other nation, republic or place in the world. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other agencies would be preoccupied with finding people, experts and a level-headed chief, a former head of state to run an operation into the demise, the failure to follow human-rights and escalating violence from the state authorities. As the curfews, the reports of killings, hospitalization and so fourth is coming in.

In this manner, the Organization of American States (OAS) would intervene. Send a former Latin American President and collect a team of experts to investigate on behalf of the UNSC. They would have configured a mandate, there would have been sessions with UNSC and the voting would have mandatory. The state then had to comply and let these experts into the Republic to investigate the matters of misconduct, wrong-doing and ill attempts of human rights violating, which in some instances has been lethal and fatal.

In this regard, there would also been missions from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and Gulf States Cooperation Council (GCC). They would all participate somehow. With observers and people reporting directly from all across. Some taking the Mid-West, others taking the Southern States. Others focusing on the Eastern Coast and finally someone looking into the actions made on the West Coast. That would all make sense.

However, this is not happening. There is a few small condemnation statements, but that is about it. It is not typical, but shows a signs of hope. That the world is not having it. Nevertheless, the UNSC and the other organizations needs to gather strength and push this. If the US can to this others, then it should be done upon them as well. That is only fair and square.

The US has always piled pressure, put into sanctions and done everything possible in the book. They have used all means to undermine sovereignty and integrity of other nations. This been done with intent of pressuring the states to act differently towards it citizens. Also, to show moral superiority. However, now, the King is undressed. The facade and the whole showcase has gone ballistic.

The triggers are off and the sparking violence is on the screens. It is filmed by the citizens, the open marginalization and lack of systems towards the minorities and African American citizens are clear as day. The is no shadow of a doubt. The evils of the society in the United States is appearing right in-front of our eyes. It is not hidden and needs to be addressed. There is no better time than now.

It is time to hook-up a AU, ASEAN, GCC or OAS with a Team of Experts, enlighten the world, the UNSC and condemn the White House and Trump Administration constantly. Even try to sanction or embargo something. So, that the police officers cannot get tear-gas or riot gear. Something to shield the citizens from this havoc. They deserve better, the US has told this to everyone else.

Now the world has to tell you the same. Because, you isn’t any better. You use the same tools you say others shouldn’t. That is hypocrisy and that needs to be said. Peace.

International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations: INCLO condemns the use of excessive force and misuse of less-lethal weapons against protesters in the USA (30.05.2020)

Opinion: When the state creates enemies without investigations, you know your in trouble

“Unfortunately, with the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country, the voices of peaceful protest are being hijacked by violent radical elements. Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate and violent agenda. In many places, it appears the violence is planned, organized, and driven by anarchistic and far left extremists, using Antifa-like tactics, many of whom travel from out of state to promote the violence” – Attorney General William Barr on the 30^th May 2020

Today, we were seeing the head of the Department of Justice issuing a statement without facts nor legal justification. His playing a perception, as there are investigations into whose behind the looting, the riots and whatnot. While the anger, the frustrations and public outcry is there against continues police brutality against minorities and the African-American Communities. There are even reports of Police Officers doing the bidding of looting and destruction pinning it on others.

Therefore, when the Attorney General issues this statement. He does it first and foremost to clear the air. To ensure his narrative gets the spin, that his playing the facade that his master wishes. Because, the President is blaming the Left and Antifa for it all. While there is even reports of investigations into White Supremacists and Alt-Right Groups involved in destruction too.

So, until the evidence is there, as erratic as these times are. There are someone who wants to spin the news. There are someone who wants to ensure one party is the enemy. The enemy is the ones whose not on the side of the government. The other side is wrong. Because, this state isn’t saying the violent right is behind it. They are not saying anyone from various of Alt-Right groups, which is associates with race-crimes and killing minorities are involved. This is historically like that with the KKK and other groups.

That’s why its rich that Republican and Trump loving technocrat Barr blames the left and Antifa. Without evidence. That is just a narrative to ensure the public, that in the back of their heads. They are reminded that the Left is the issue, while it was a man of the Right Wing as a Police Officer who sparked the whole thing and who killed George Floyd. However, that part of the reality isn’t touched, because that undermine the reality that the AG wants to posses.

This is the narrow-minded blame-game. If the AG thought this was brilliant. Maybe, he needs to study the history of using “Super-Predators” of the 1990s and such. Since, instead of that, its now Antifa. Only the masking of the name has changed, but the paradigm is the same. Making someone an enemy and target, to legitimize the same behaviour from the authorities. Which in the end spark the same demonstrations, the same riots and the public display of outrage. Because, how many lives can the authorities take without consequence?

That should be the question here and what is the final drop in the glass. That makes it spill over the whole table and make a mess. The mess is here, the President and AG trying to find their enemy. However, they are only showing their vile attempt to create a narrative, which isn’t proven or investigated.

This is the school-boy argument of blaming the older boys for tarnishing and TP-ing the hallways, when in reality it could the young boys. However, there are no clear investigation into it. So, let’s blame the older ones. Shall we? Peace.

Opinion: Now its the time for the International Community to condemn the US Authorities

Usually in these instances the International Community, Bilateral Organizations and United Nations Organizations would come out with statements, letters and MPs from all across would write and send memos, where they would express concern, care for humanity and the human rights violations done by the state.

The United States of America is surely there now. the Trump Organization, sorry my bad, it’s the Trump Administration lackluster behaviour. Its internal behaviour towards social media, its Executive Order against Twitter. There is also the arrest of the CNN Team in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While there is demonstrations across the Republic. There is violent police officers, arresting demonstrators and so fourth. This is as a reaction to the police officers directly murdering George Floyd in broad daylight. Because of this its days of demonstrations. The public have been burning buildings. While the police has delivered tear-gas towards them. This is the anger and agony, as the minority is targeted by the authorities and the police.

Floyd is just the latest casualty in a long line of innocent civilians dying because of their race, skin-colour and ethnicity. That is the sad reality of the police and the authorities in the United States. That they are directly mass incarcerate this community and its people. While, if they are trying to live free, they might become a target and loose their lives by doing simple things like jogging or going to the nearest barber.

The African Americans are really hard hit. They are the ones handpicked, the ones no matter what they do its wrong. If they kneel, its bad, if they are on the streets, its bad and if they post online. Than that’s bad too. So, in reality, the aggression and the demonstrations seen these days is the last drop into a glass of water. It was bound to go over. There been so many people of African American descendants whose been taken out early, by either mistake or by brutal lethal force. Which was the same with Floyd.

This is why the international silence is showing its precedence, because if this was elsewhere. The UN would send Experts and Investigate the matters of Human Rights Violations and Extra Judicial-Killings. Which this is, the authorities and police is initiating these killings and doing the bidding.

What is even more striking is how the President plays into this. As he has engaged positive and in favour of White Armed Demonstrators against the lockdown. However, when you address the marginalization and systemic oppression of African Americans. Than the President has no issues with saying his willingly sending the National Guard and start to shoot at the protesters. This is only happening in dictatorships, but apparently, the US is swiftly getting their under Trump.

The US should be sanctioned, as its okay to take lives of African Americans without any cause. Their lives doesn’t matter, because if they did. Then it wouldn’t be that easy to take their lives and trying to find ways to make reasons for the demise of this civilian. The same fashion, as all the other bystanders and raided houses where innocent civilians of same kind been taken away. Or if a brother is running or jogging and get hounded by White Supremacists.

This is the revision of the Jim Crow era, we are returning back to the evil days, where the public are targeted for their colour, their creed and their ethnicity. Which is wrong by all means. Where you can be taken out, not because your a terrorist, but because you were born. That is all and enough.

That is why the International Community needs to act. Needs to address this and show force. They need to show the world that this mentality, this reality and these means are all wrong. That the US government needs a lesson. They need to be sanctioned, they need to warned and need to feel pressure from abroad. They are not treating their citizens correctly. This needs to be said and not done in silence.

The demonstrations, the civil disobedience is all natural. As the public is outrage. This is the aftermath of the murder of Floyd. While the authorities are “investigating” it and not doing it in a manner, which they would normally do, if this was a citizen and especially if this was a minority suspect. The minority suspect would be charged and rot in jail, while the police officer is walking free awaiting pending investigation and possible charges down the line. But, a minority, an African American suspect, which is a citizens would be hounded down in bracelets before dawn.

That’s why the people is Minneapolis is reacting like this. Also, why there is demonstrations elsewhere. As this is not only happening in Minnesota, but across the Republic.

So, now its time for the International Community to act like it does elsewhere. We are seeing muffling of media. Roughness towards demonstrators and also rhetoric of more violence from the President. While there is no piece of redeeming factor here. The authorities are downplaying it.

That is why pressure also coming from the outside. The world cannot accept extra judicial killings elsewhere, so they shouldn’t accept it happening in the United States. Peace.

Opinion: Racial Inequality is still a thing in America

Well, it’s sad that someone has to say this, but the Civil Rights Movement. The minorities and the stigma in society is still vibrant and still alive. What is worse, is that its state sanctioned at this point. As of this time and days of our lives. The White or Causation Majority has more rights than the rest.

This has been proven with how the White Americans are using the Police as a security agency and using their entitlements in public. If a African-American is in the park, in the parking-lot or barbecuing close by. That is in an issue in normal times, but becomes even more dire in a pandemic.

The reality is that the African-American can become a target without any precaution or warrant. The Police can without any hesitation, fire and use force against. However, if a white man is armed like Rambo or looking like a Bond Villain in the Capitols of the States. They can walk scotch-free. These people don’t have to worry about the Police or the authorities using means to engage.

However, an African-American can easily get killed by the Police by jogging in the wrong neighbourhood at the wrong time. The Police can if they may easily just take away all rights and even the lives without any reason. That is what happen to George Floyd in Minneapolis. It’s pure injustice in the hands of the law. This was one of the men of the law, whose supposed serve and protect the public. The Police is supposed to safeguard and keep the streets safe, not take lives.

What is the matter of fact, this is not the first victim of what the Police in the United States has done. Its been doing this for years. Its imprinted in their ways and the politicians are letting it happen. The leadership isn’t stopping it. Just like they are not stopping the raids of ICE and having camps for immigrants. All are of the minorities, which is not as protected by these law enforcement.

This is sincere default and problematic stance, which is embedded in society. Where the Police can do this and continues to do so. That the Police Officer can easily take a life of an African-American. This shows what is wrong with the US. There is a lack of justice, lack or equality and lack societal norms to stop this.

It is nt like like all boys in Blue would do this, but their shield and their means have massively been to target, arrest and mass incarcerated minorities for decades. This is thing in the US and continues to persist. That shows that the supposed leaders of the Free World isn’t that free. Except one group, because we see that.

It is clear as day, as earlier in the month, white-men could go to the capitols in-front of the governors offices fully armed and with no direct interference from law-enforcement. However, when African-American men whose not armed going into the streets. They we’re tasting tear-gas in Minneapolis yesterday. And in Los Angles the Police drove even into a group of protesters after this murder of Floyd.

Therefore, the racial injustice continues. The eras of Jim Crow is still here. Maybe not in direct law, but in action. The Police are using the same means and functions to the same paradigm in the US. What is boggling, is that the ones scavenging at Colin Kaepernick kneeling for freedom, liberty and against this sort of behaviour of the authorities. That is why it’s ironic and sad, that the ones yelling at him, isn’t saying a word against the officer who kneeled for eight minutes taking the life of Floyd.

No one should get the treatment of Floyd. Doesn’t matter who you are, what’s your race, colour, creed or faith. That doesn’t matter, if we are all equal, then the African-American shouldn’t get this treatment by law enforcement. It is that easy. If they are equal to the Whites who went to the Capitols earlier in the month. Then, they should be allowed to be armed to their teeth’s and walk to the offices of the governors.

However, we know that its not possible right now. Its because the state has made it like this. There is a need for radical changes, which is in the dreams of Martin Luther King and other Civil Rights Leaders. There is a need to listen to John Lewis and the late Elijah E. Cummings. Their words and lessons would be needed. To again go against the ills of society and to make a change. Since, the US is far from healed and is still divided.

If this is the supposed free world, then the world isn’t free. As it is only free for some, but not for all. That is warning and we’re living in 2020, but we’re having the same issues as generations before us. We should know better, the US law-enforcement should know better, but they don’t, because they are allowed to do so.

Enough bullshit for one day. We shouldn’t be here, but apparently we are. Peace.

U.S. Congress does not want investigation to “go dark” when coming to encrypted data, co-op between private and federal agencies is needed; the Year-End Report claims!

As the House in Congress together with Encryption Working Group, which are different senators from all spectre of the House; they are coming from two parts of the House that are working in the Committee on Energy and Commerce & Committee on the Judiciary. They are here working on the public and private sphere, on the matter on encrypted data can be open and closed. These are because the companies can close the data for the investigation of the security organization. Something that can be hard and needed data to figure out the needed intelligence that the authority’s needs, but still the privacy of the citizens and also company secrets can go away if these encrypted data is uncovered. Therefore the working group to try to find a position on this hard conundrum!

“On February 16, 2016, a federal magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued an order requiring Apple, Inc. to assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in obtaining encrypted data off of an iPhone related to a 2015 shooting in San Bernardino, California. Apple resisted the order. This particular case was resolved when the FBI pursued a different method to access the data stored on the device. But the case, and the heated rhetoric exchanged by parties on all sides, reignited a decades-old debate about government access to encrypted data” (…) “The law enforcement community often refers to their challenge in this context as “going dark.” In essence, “going dark” refers to advancements in technology that leave law enforcement and the national security community unable to obtain certain forms of evidence” (EWG, P: 2, 2016).

“Congress should not weaken this vital technology because doing so works against the national interest. However, it should not ignore and must address the legitimate concerns of the law enforcement and intelligence communities” (EWG, P: 4, 2016).

Data cross boarders:

“Data flows with little regard for national borders. Many of the private companies that met with the working group have a multinational presence and are subject to the laws of many different jurisdictions. Several of these companies noted a trend towards data localization requirements in foreign countries, driven at least in part by the difficulty in obtaining data for use in routine criminal investigations. Conversely, current legal authorities may be inadequate for federal agencies attempting to access data overseas” (EWG, P: 5, 2016).

“The challenge of improving law enforcement access to encryption depends on a multitude of factors. Federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the United States Secret Service face obvious challenges from the growing use of strong encryption. Although federal law enforcement agencies told the EWG that they encourage the use of encryption for the protection of sensitive information—including data retained by the federal government—they cite the increased use of encryption by suspected criminals and victims of crime as a severe challenge to their public safety mission” (EWG, P: 6, 2016).

“Public perception and recent tensions notwithstanding, there is already substantial cooperation between the private sector and law enforcement. Private company stakeholders demonstrated an ability to assist federal, state, and local agencies with access to information to the extent possible and with service of a lawful order, and expressed a willingness to explore ways to improve and enhance that collaboration” (EWG, P: 7, 2016).

“Exploring tools that might help companies clarify what information is already available to law enforcement officers, and under what circumstances” (…) “§ Examining federal warrant procedures to determine whether they can be made more efficient, consistent with current constitutional standards” (…) “§ Examining federal warrant procedures to ensure that they are clear and consistent with respect to law enforcement access to digital information” (…) “§ Examining how law enforcement can better utilize existing investigative tools” (EWG, P: 9, 2016).

“Although much of the debate has focused on requiring third party companies to decrypt information for the government, an alternative approach might involve compelling decryption by the individual consumers of these products. On a case-by-case basis, with proper court process, requiring an individual to provide a passcode or thumbprint to unlock a device could assist law enforcement in obtaining critical evidence without undermining the security or privacy of the broader population” (EWG, P: 12, 2016).

“Encryption is inexorably tied to our national interests. It is a safeguard for our personal secrets and economic prosperity. It helps to prevent crime and protect national security. The widespread use of encryption technologies also complicates the missions of the law enforcement and intelligence communities. As described in this report, those complications cannot be ignored. This is the reality of modern society. We must strive to find common ground in our collective responsibility: to prevent crime, protect national security, and provide the best possible conditions for peace and prosperity” (EWG, P: 13, 2016).

When it comes to data encryption there will be hardships as the multi-national companies are not following borders, neither is this just about privacy, certain parts of the lawful “hacking” is breaching the codes and copyrights of technology for multi-national companies. These are with the example of Apple, who wouldn’t accept that FBI decoded their Iphone in February 2016. Certainly this question and the encryption of data will be a continued problem for authorities, security organizations and also civilians who want’s their privacy kept secret and not all in the open.

The fear that Big Brother can see everything and can connect into everything we have is worry, as much as it is that the companies we consumers has bought products can get all of information and data should also concern us; as much as it if the Security organizations could monitor every action and get hold of all our data. This will be a continued problem as the privacy, the need to unlock privacy terms and the use of National Security to keep an eye on the public sphere.

As long as the security organization can unlock when they need, but not to violate or even use the enforcement in ways where they can trespass into the data for the sense of security. U.S. enforcement shall be in regard for public safety, but shall also secure the privacy of innocent civilians, as much as copyright and encrypted data of giant corporations. Therefore the clear case-to-case work has to be done in corporation between security organization and also private companies, as they together can secure National Security and also the lives of innocent civilians. These are codes of conduct that needs to be clear, the indication of proper work and also co-op that the investigation needs to partake. Peace.

Reference:

Encryption Working Group – ‘Encryption Working Group Year-End Report’ (December 20, 2016)

White House Report: U.S. Wire taps that occur without warrants and where security organization clearly violates privacy laws!

Fitz: “What’s up, hotshot?”

McNulty: “I got a technical question. Remember those analog units we used to use to pull cell numbers out of the air? The C.F. something-something”

Fitz: “Yeah, Cell Frequency Identification Device”.

McNulty: “The triggerfish, yeah”.

Fitz: “That one, it could flag a number. Right, but the old analog machines? We used to have to follow the guy around stay close while he used the phone New digitals bing, we just pull the number right off the cell towers”.

McNulty: “So, you got any down out at Woodlawn that daddy can borrow?”

Fitz: “What about yours? – What? City has three of ’em, I remember right.

Homeland security grant sent ’em to you every big county department in the state”

McNulty: “No fucking way. Thanks” (the Wire season 3 episode 11, 2004).

Well, so there we have it, the U.S. Security Organization that are working tirelessly to protect and arrest criminals. On the way to do so, there are questions being made and questionable approaches made by the Security Agencies as they are using technology not to attain information on their possible suspects, but at the same time going into the privacy of innocent civilians. In this way by monitoring areas where well-known criminals are staying and taking information on bystanders and such; these acts can violate their trust in the security agencies as they are using this level of intelligence to attain the suspects. This can also be seen as a violation of the Fourth Amendment as they have rights who protect innocent civilian’s privacy. At the same time, the security agencies need technics to able to get intelligence on their suspects. This is the real-life The Wire and here is what I collected for the recently dropped White House report on the matter.

“[P]eople have a reasonable expectation that their cell phones will not be used as real-time tracking devices by law enforcement, and – recognizing that the Fourth Amendment protects people and not simply areas – that people have an objectively reasonable expectation of privacy in real-time cell phone location information. Thus, we hold that the use of a cell site simulator requires a valid search warrant, or an order satisfying the constitutional requisites of a warrant, unless an established exception to the warrant requirement applies” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 30).

“The Department of Justice has 310 cell-site simulation devices and spent more than $71 million in fiscal years 2010-14 on cell-site simulation technology” (…) “The Department of Homeland Security has 124 cell-site simulation devices and spent more than $24 million in fiscal years 2010-14 on cell-site simulation technology” (U.S. Committee, 2016 P:5).

“Cell-site simulators are devices that effectively transform a cell phone into a real time tracking device. A cell-site simulator—also known as an “IMSI catcher”—is a device that mimics a cell phone tower. These devices are commonly referred to as “Stingrays,” which is both a generic name and also refers to a specific type of IMSI catcher that is manufactured by the Harris Corporation. When the device is activated, cell phones in the surrounding area connect to the device in a similar way that the cell phones would connect to a cell tower. Once a phone connects to the cell-site simulator, the device is capable of obtaining specific identifying information for the phone, including information that enables law enforcement to determine the location of the phone and, more importantly, its user” (U.S. Committee, 2016 P: 7).

“From April to August 2015, Committee staff met with the component agencies and officials from DOJ and DHS leadership; from those meetings, two things became clear: (1) use of these devices was widespread; and (2) there was a lack of uniformity across the agencies regarding what court authority was required to deploy cell-site simulation technology under different operating scenarios” (U.S. Committee, 2016 P: 8).

No Warrant before the surveillance:

“The Committee obtained information from federal, state, and local law enforcement that shows the majority of situations where a cell-site simulator is deployed involve the search for a specific, known cell phone. In this scenario, law enforcement first obtains the target cell phone’s number through traditional investigative methods. Once the target cell phone number is ascertained, law enforcement generally obtains the IMSI number that is associated with that cell phone number from the cellular service provider. A warrant is generally not a prerequisite to requesting the IMSI number from the service provider; in many instances, law enforcement obtains the IMSI number by issuing an administrative subpoena to a cell phone service provider” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 11).

Bystanders caught monitored to find the criminal phone:

“Whenever a cell-site simulator is deployed, there are collateral consequences for the non-target phones in the area. While searching for the target phone, the simulator will also make contact with other, non-target cell phones that happen to be within range of the simulator device, even if those phones’ owners are innocent bystanders who are not suspected of any criminal wrongdoing. The simulator identifies and collects these non-target phones’ unique identifiers as well. When searching for a specific IMSI number, the device identifies and drops contact with the non-targeted phones within a few seconds” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 12).

Difference between home and in public:

“During the course of the Committee’s investigation, it became clear the FBI was drawing a distinction between deploying cell-site simulators on targets in public places and deploying the devices to collect information when a person was in a private space, such as a home. If the device were to be deployed to detect a person when they were believed to be in their home, the FBI would obtain a warrant. When an individual was believed to be on a street or some other public space, however, the FBI relied upon an order under the Pen Register Statute” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 21).

IRS use of Cell phone surveillance:

“For each of the 37 investigations that the IRS reported using a cell-site simulator, the agency reported that it worked with an Assistant United States Attorney or State Prosecutor, and obtained “an order or a warrant” based on a finding of probable cause in 36 instances. On one occasion out of the 37, the IRS obtained authorization to deploy a cell-site simulator by obtaining an order pursuant to the Pen Register Statute. Ten of the federal cases resulted in indictments. Indictments were obtained in every instance where the IRS assisted a state or local police department’s investigation” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 25).

Use of the Technology in ill-intent:

“Cell-site simulator use inside the United States raises far-reaching issues concerning the use, extent, and legality of government surveillance authority. While the Committee’s investigation and hearing focused on law enforcement’s use of these devices, non-law enforcement and/or foreign government use of cell-site simulation technology also raises serious concerns” (…) “Law enforcement agencies are not the only groups who may use cell-site simulation technology. It is possible, if not likely, bad actors will use these devices to further their aims. Criminals and spies, however, will not be adopting the DOJ and DHS policies and procedures or any other ethics of surveillance. They will not be self-limiting in their use of these devices so as to not capture the content of others’ conversations. Criminals could use these devices to track potential victims or even members of law enforcement. One can imagine scenarios where criminals or foreign agents use this type of technology to intercept text messages and voice calls of law enforcement, corporate CEOs, or elected officials” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 33).

Conclusion:

“In circumstances involving dramatic technological change, the best solution to privacy concerns may be legislative. A legislative body is well situated to gauge changing public attitudes, to draw detailed lines, and to balance privacy and public safety in a comprehensive way” (U.S. Committee, 2016, P: 35)

With this in mind, the reality is that sometimes the U.S. Police Officers and Security Agencies are following innocent civilians in the hunt of criminals. These methods are also done without warrants and therefore done on free-will of the security agencies, which by all means are a violations of privacy of civilians, where the courts haven’t even been noted on the arrangement and the investigations that been done.

This should be scrutinized and should not be put under the rug, as this are common thread and done by government security organization without permission or where they didn’t follow instruction per request of the courts. Therefore the validation of their intelligence could be put under question as they we’re also taking in civilians who wasn’t doing any ill-intent.

Peace.

Reference:

U.S. Committee Staff Report – ‘Law Enforcement Use of Cell-Site Simulation Technologies:

Privacy Concerns and Recommendations’ (19.12.2016) written by Hon. Jason Chaffetz & Hon. Elijah E. Cummings.