Christopher Soghoian: Government surveillance - this is just the beginning

Privacy researcher Christopher Soghoian sees the landscape of government surveillance shifting beneath our feet, as an industry grows to support monitoring programs. Through private companies, he says, governments are buying technology with the capacity to break into computers, steal documents and monitor activity - without detection. This TED Fellow gives an unsettling look at what's to come.
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[@MichaelPomeroyinmauritania]

I have never once been afraid of getting blow up by someone but I am in terror of the the United States Government and Police every day.

[@Podeon2013]

UNRESTRICTED SURVEILLANCE MEANS THE STAGNATION OF ALL FUTURE PROGRESS. The biggest problem with surveillance is that it will inhibit any future change for the better. Most of the great revolutionaries and people who made a change for the better would now be called terrorists. If 500 years ago the World had had the kind of surveillance we have today we would still have the Inquisition as a form of law and the people in power would be the same.

[@nicolasdelaforge7420]

The bastards have surrounded us: kzbin.info?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFirst-Account-Occupation-Meaning-Syndrome-ebook%2Fdp%2FB082RGVD8X%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fdchild%3D1%26keywords%3Dbooks%2Bby%2Bvigo%2Bbruun%26qid%3D1590256903%26s%3Ddigital-text%26sr%3D1-1&redir_token=K4tUZhofXMczlgNNEz92OFTqM7p8MTU5MDM0NDc4MUAxNTkwMjU4Mzgx&event=comments&stzid=Ugx5Bbzj1LXMQOEKWuJ4AaABAg

[@zane7539]

8 years later...are you still scared?

[@MetalRenard]

It's just disgusting. Words can't express how this makes me feel.

[@nmagain24]

Because you believed the lie you were told

[@UsernameNULL755]

ow man, once i saw the title i knew i had to watch it

[@GladeanaMcMahon]

Although I am based in the UK Christopher Soghoain raises global issues and they are scary. History has taught us that we should be aware of such issues as all it takes for "evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing". So many times what has started out with good intentions has been hijacked and I, for one, am conscious about this. I believe in law and order and am quite conservative but that does not mean I am not aware of the dangers of what Christopher speaks about.

[@jbetteridge23]

This is very worrying... Oh hi government!

[@holdmybeer]

I put black tape on my webcam around 2007. My girlfriend thought I was paranoid.

[@AguzSuiCaedere]

Is time to use messenger pigeons again!

[@michaelmcmedia]

6:50 guy in the audience wearing Google Glass, oh the irony

[@MrSheepboy]

***** They could have hacked into the glasses either coincidentally or otherwise and be watching them being spoken about.. Kind of ironic imo..

[@michaelmcmedia]

Hehe, I initially didn't reply because I figured 'oh, another internet tough guy', but you're alright :D

[@zzFishstick]

***** Freak.

[@egqaapi6888]

nicely put into words....

There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always- do not forget this, Winston- always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face- forever.

[@Mink0twink]

Clear and to the point. Well done

[@vikas3v]

good one.... thanks....

[@naufalhakym5542]

I agree with Christopher Soghoian’s main point for the need to have a public debate on whether or not government surveillance is warranted. I personally feel that although such acts of mass gathering of intelligence is needed as part of preventive measures against threats of terrorism or other forms of conflict, the software and capability to do so should only be available to the governments of each country. The fact that the surveillance software used to silently tap into our communication devices are developed and even sold by private corporations worries me more than actually being spied upon. This means that just about anyone out there with sufficient funding or who have the technical know-how to steal such technology can just about be as powerful as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the sense that even the FBI and their agents are possible targets for secret spying and hence, classified information can be leaked out. (156 words, Naufal Hakym, CMM/TB01)

[@MirageMiM]

This is relevant to my interests.

[@DanHolly3]

Great Speech

[@DragonMaster32200]

Scary. *shiver*

[@cherylloh6474]

I agree with Christopher that knowledge on government surveillance should be made known among the people. It is reassuring to know that the government has the ability and power to look into the bad guys computers. After all, it is of good intention: to capture the people capable of bringing unrest to our society. But to know that the government can also be using this software to look into computers of the good guys is unsettling. For one, a Moroccan journalist jailed by his own government for doing his job - seems a tad contradicting doesn’t it? Because of the power this technology holds, the likelihood of it being misused by the government is high. If it is used to look into the computers of innocent people, it is not only an invasion of privacy but a violation of ethics the government should uphold. This intrusion, when made known, will only bring about more displeasure and negative feelings towards the government. Ultimately, it is crossing the line if this technology is used other than what the government says it is used for. But I believe that there is a level of trust between the government and the people. (198 words, Cheryl Loh, CMM/TB01)

[@Atoyota]

just the tip of the iceberg here

[@thejamiechiang]

I agree with Christopher Soghoian that there should be a debate about government surveillance and whether it is a suitable law enforcing technique. This is because I personally feel that having the government monitoring our personal online content is a violation of human rights. There are questions that could be asked on the necessity, morals, principles and ethics over surveillance. With the prevalence of private companies offering technology to governments that are unable to build their own, every government in the world is essentially able to conduct surveillance. This calls for the need to debate, which is what Christopher had brought forward as his viewpoint. Despite that there may be disagreements that the citizens’ privacy can be compromised in exchange for their safety, my personal standpoint on this revolves around the consequence of sacrificing one self’s privacy. Ultimately, if we can be deluded into thinking we are safe, then we could also be deluded into thinking that all our data is safe. (162 words, Jamie Chiang, CMM/TB01)

[@radixreuel7631]

I WATCHED an interview where they had all these various technology geeks & influencers talking about Orwell & the question proposed was what would Orwell think of present day society? One of the talking heads mentioned that Orwell wouldn’t be so impressed with the technology but that fact that The Powers That Be, got the mass public to not only pay for it, but able to place a premium on the most personally invasive/intrusive devices. ALL FOR YOUR SAFETY. “Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say.” -Edward Snowden

[@jaams1234]

how come this isn't getting media coverage?. it's a giant step into personal freedom!, a freedom you hear Americans be so mighty proud of.

[@Lardzor]

What happened to yesterdays (Mar 4, 2014) talk?! I meant to watch it, but now I can't find it on their site. It was something to do with big data.

[@qaisaraaa670]

I agree with the speaker’s point of view towards government surveillance. Looking at it from different perspectives, people may think that the government are somehow invading ones privacy. But from another point of view, they can just be trying to look out for citizens and are using the modern technology to catch criminals. In the end, that is what the citizens should be most concerned about, their safety. If someone was to be in the unfortunate position to be a victim to one of those crimes, and the government manages to come in time to save them, they wouldn’t be thinking in their head “I can’t believe they invaded my privacy!” At that moment, they can only be thankful. So I believe sometimes people need to trust decisions that the government makes and not only think about themselves. (138 words, Qaisara, CMM, TB04)

[@juliatan3357]

I agree with Christopher Soghoain’s view that there should be an informed public debate on government surveillance. With all the evidence he has presented, it seems to me that it is no secret of what the governments in various countries are doing. So, I believe that they have the obligation to inform the public of at least an overview of their surveillance techniques. Invasion of personal privacy is a law, and I do not see why governments have to be exempted from it. People have the right to know that they could be at risk of being spied upon without their knowledge and they should have the right to take action against invasion of their privacy. The governments mentioned in the video may not be using surveillance techniques for corrupt purposes, but the very notion that they have the ability to do so would probably draw wary attention from the public. It would definitely be suspicious if the government had some secret surveillance plan that they did not want their citizens to know about. I would never have a peace of mind knowing they could watch every move I make without my knowledge. (193 words, Julia Tan, CMM, TB03)

[@hafizishak2614]

I agree with what Christopher Soghoian says and how it is important to have an informed public debate for this matter. It is not right to have the capability of hacking into anyone’s to the computer to the extent of invading any individual’s privacy. It would definitely be an asset when tracking down criminals, pedophiles, drug dealers, terrorists, especially since there is an intention to prevent crime or harm on others. However, especially since we have so much data stored online, the fact that the government and FBI has access to our information without our knowledge and even authorization is unacceptable. I feel that something needs to be done such that even the government only has access when an individual is suspected of doing something malicious and not all the time. An organization, whether external or internal, needs to make sure that the government does not violate innocent individuals’ privacy. Isn’t it already a low-key crime to even be stalking us? (161 words, Hafiz Ishak, CMM/TB03)

[@x_july_o]

what i have been suspecting all along....

[@SquareWaveHeaven]

Time for society to go open source. Nothing to hide, and all that...

[@LeonidasGGG]

I'm not against this type of surveillance. I am, however, against this type of actio without a WARRANT. We need to have legislation and courts so we can fight against this type of action in a legal way. Also, it doesn't hurt to have somekind of software to monitor your own computer, I'm sure that, being programs to attack, there must be other to defend them.

[@satellite964]

Yeah those governments are so nice when they torture you they will be kind enough to give you a warrant.

[@sageyash]

Warrants are useless they can just make it look like the target is a potential threat and get a warrant legally, a warrant would just be something annoying to them not something that would stop them. And this is especially true in 3rd world countries where the law doesn't mean much.

[@jthwaits]

Very worrying

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

I TOTALLY CONCUR

[@TheFirstBK]

Glasshole at 6:50!

[@gerald9875]

What the guy said in his speech really sparks a debate. Government is capable of abusing surveillance to invade the privacy of celebrities, ordinary people, bad guys etc. But we ask ourselves, do they have the time to do such things? There are billions of people in the world, who in the right mind has the time to check out on each and everyone of them. The duty of the government is to facilitate the needs of people, keeping citizens safe. It is right that they use these methods to track down dangerous people like terrorists, hence no objection that they should continue this method. The more important issue here is that we, as normal individuals, with sufficient knowledge can also develop such a software. By having this capability, anybody's privacy can potentially be invaded, gradually you will see tons of leaked celebrity nudes and more. Hence, measures must me taken to prevent such creepy things from happening. (203 words) Gerald TB03 CMM

[@gerald9875]

156 words oops

[@tedskam]

+Gerald Lee "do they have the time to do such things?"Do you know how many different spying agencies are in the U.S. alone? 17. Want to know the budgets of those 17 agencies? www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/02/02/black-budget-requests-remain-secret Yeah well we really can't find that number out, now can we? National security and all that. Do you REALLY believe all 17 of those agencies are focused on terrorists ? (as defined by people philosophically or physically aligned with organizations whose intent is to do HARM to this country, NOT as defined by the gov't, which is "anybody anywhere for any reason")The NSA meta data center nsa.gov1.info/utah-data-center/ wasn't constructed to find pedophiles and the next subway bomber. its for data collection on EVERYONE. The only way to avoid data collection (or hacking or altering or intrusion of your data/systems, is to not HAVE any. Period. There is no "safe method". One NSA program, has an 250 million dollar budget. One program, in one agency. www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security The govt indeed has the time, the personnel, and the money and wherewithal to do exactly what you believe they cannot. And, they most assuredly are. We citizens (of the world, not just the U.S.) have no idea of what reality is, regarding the lack of privacy or security anymore. The majority of us falsely believe (and I cant figure out why) that the gov't is basically and essentially "good", and on our side. That assumption is insane, and has no historical basis in fact.

[@Grengis]

hmm BSD wasn't mentioned - guess i gotta switch from linux now :P

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

The malware will run on OSX, linux would be trivial to target but no one uses it, so not value for money.

[@jhgfdsazxcvb8158]

Creepy 🎶

[@discoHR]

i find the hacking part on all major OSs extremely hard to believe. it would be possible only if every single networking device on the market has undetectable backdoor added in factory.

[@edoist16]

Exactly.... arstechnica.com/security/2013/09/nsa-attains-the-holy-grail-of-spying-decodes-vast-swaths-of-internet-traffic/

[@matbroomfield]

I don't know. In independence Day, Jeff Goldblum managed to connect a Mac to an alien computer AND plant a virus in the time it took to fly to the ship. And in Star Trek, EVERY computer in the galaxy can connect and exchange data right away. It must be super easy when all you have to worry about is a few terrestrial operating systems!

[@iuquad16]

I'm a CS major. It's totally possible without a backdoor. All you have to do is program simple software that invades the host, regardless of permissions, and forces standard operations to remain normal as the backdoor is cut in from the outside. With IP addresses capable of being ever-changing, but nonetheless unavoidable, you're always exposed; and since all internet connections converge on the same few hundred hubs worldwide, it's really not difficult at all to pinpoint a target, take control of the host device, and steal what you want within a matter of seconds. It is hard to believe, I'll agree with you, but your computer is simply a bathroom stall without a door.

[@1974charrua]

Back yard Hakers can hack without touching a keyboard or mouse trough a gesture based interactive game style hacking programs , this video is old news they are way more advanced than that , imagine what the government is doing today,

[@whiskyromeo2012]

wrong

[@Molly-gj5ou]

Oh great, the Netherlans is on that map too. Time to put a sticker on my webcam.

[@kiefscooper7]

paper cannot be hacked

[@MrSoundSeeker]

I think that we just see this problem through a wrong Prism, don't you think KZbin?

[@ArtArtisian]

TL;DR: Build your own OS, keep your computer off the web, and wear a tin foil hat.

[@yourfaceishumerus]

Brb, putting a piece of paper and some blu tack over my webcam.

[@themassofmen]

I removed my webcam several years ago.

[@Abu0m4r]

What about the smartphones cameras? :|

[@nmagain24]

Listen, ANY and EVERYTHING that is connected to the net is exploitable.

[@edi9892]

It is creepy how much a smart phone knows about you. It's not only about who you called, but where you walk and stay but also mail and google... Such a device can tell a complete stranger who you are, what you like and where to find you. Believe it or not, but some innocent data combined allowed to tell sex, age, religion, income and political affiliation and probable medical issues.

[@matbroomfield]

Congratulations to these companies. You've killed the internet.

[@jeffgarbaas9278]

Peeps the cat!! Meow!!

[@garciavashchino1]

I 100% agree that some kind of regulation needs to be formed... I get the pedophile terrorist and other criminals thing is a great deal... but then you just have the business merger meeting or the activists as was mentioned to be targeted... its not an even trade of when it comes to the abuse that can take place and or is already...

[@B1gHagar]

Simple rule of thumb. Would Hitler like this product? Would Hitler like the NSA? How would Hitler use the internet? Something tells me Hitler would like his NSA to use this product to watch everybody on the internet.

[@renthicya]

It is always the people's fault, because we're too ignorant and apathetic to do anything about it. We let them, why wouldn't they do it? They would be stupid not to do it when it clearly serves their interests and when there's nothing and noone who would show them otherwise.

[@neon.pinkoo]

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin

[@clubware]

I think that anyone watching a pedophile commit crimes on their computer or elsewhere and not reporting them to the police is guilty of being an accomplice and should be arrested.

[@azo818184]

Nice video , but you have more information

[@vereku_]

Spare me.

[@tryfinally]

Sounds scary and all, but I suppose it's okay, because it's for national security and/or for the children.

[@fjoo]

Please have some sympathy for the FBI and CIA agents. Anyone who has been on Chatroulette will know what they have to endure throughout their working day. :\

[@juezna]

this guy promoted the use of apple's text messaging system, face time, and whatsapp, as privacy friendly applications. So kinda contradictory. I wouldn't take his word seriusly.

[@edi9892]

Slowly I start idealising the Middle Ages, where there was no Big Brother, where you could walk for days in Nature (and not a sterile, monocultural timber-production) without meeeting any other person and not to forget that no-one could order someone to press a red button that would end our world.

[@sehidmujovic7087]

People it is real!

[@_kittencake]

He has one of those strange British/American hybrid accents.

[@michael102]

Why would anyone want to hack into our boring lives? Makes me sleepy just thinking about it!

[@billwyman4322]

They avoid the people with boring lives,

[@michael102]

Bill Wyman I wish! I ordered some bamboo seeds from ebay and had to agents from the Federal government knock on my door. My bamboo went bye, and I woke up

[@billwyman4322]

That is shocking! Those people really want tying up and leaving in the middle of the road, he,

[@MrSpeakingFreely]

Approximately 15 people are Statist Scumbags.

[@fellhart]

This shit just ruined my day.

[@landrucuchulainstarwordcouk]

View 'POLICE HARASSMENT APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT' and 'FURTHER EXAMPLES OF POLICE HARASSMENT SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT.' Belinda's Hot Air.

[@TheDrunkardHu]

so basically, pay attention in school, read books/relevant articles related to this topic, or be subject to corruption, and all the other words you immediately think of when thinking about your gov't. swell... the only time i'm happy that i'm doing all this "surfing" on such an old, outdated rig... if only this comment would post.

[@SquareWaveHeaven]

Gamma Demo Version has detected nudity and has been disabled. Please purchase a valid licence to continue spying.

[@jdhprogames]

1 year from now, this guy will be dead.

[@simsim0228]

One year later. Still alive

[@simsim0228]

Still alive.

[@jdhprogames]

Motonaut xD

[@shoruqelmeligy1563]

Still alive.

[@jeremyrivera8610]

selvason here nice comit come own

[@Twbrooks509]

If you have nothing to hide who cares. Flash the middle finger at your webcam time to time. Only the scumbags have anything to worry about.

[@weeral1]

+Thomas Brooks smh

[@a.g.8225]

In an attempt to read what it said at 4:29, I slowed the video down to 0.25. The only thing I found out was: don't do it. The voices! It's FRICKING cREEPy oh my goodness xD And no, in case you're wondering, it didn't say anything.

[@northcacalacka545]

AHH who gives a rat's ass. I have my God, my guns, and, AND my guts. Take all the pictures you want....

[@bonsai8538]

Fak prism

[@XMeK]

The quality of TED Talks has fallen significantly!

[@claudiacarrasco4057]

Old news.

[@arakelyanvalera]

As if Apple doesn't share personal info with FBI !

[@iuquad16]

... Why do you care if they're watching you...? If you're not breaking the law, what does it matter?

[@B1gHagar]

Laws change. So do governments. Today you may be a law abiding citizen. Tomorrow, you may not.

[@Shaunt1]

Because it leaves you vulnerable. They can know anything about anyone and use that info against you. Plus it's much worse than that. With things like the NDAA they can capture and kill anyone anywhere anytime.

[@TheFirstBK]

The government wasn't made to have absolute power over it's citizens. If they know everything you could possibly do, they can use that power to control every citizen. When a government no longer has to answer to it's citizens, they can do whatever they want, and that could be a dictatorship. No more free speech, no freedom really at all. I absolutely hate people like you who think so simply. You are the bane of humanity's existence. Too bad most people here in the US are sheep like you.

[@iuquad16]

Yes... And YOU elected them into office. Congrats. I'm 20, haven't had time to screw us over yet.

[@Shaunt1]

TehBKudder The government wasn't made to have absolute power over it's citizens. If they know everything you could possibly do, they can use that power to control every citizen. When a government no longer has to answer to it's citizens, they can do whatever they want, and that could be a dictatorship. No more free speech, no freedom really at all. I absolutely hate people like you who think so simply. You are the bane of humanity's existence. Too bad most people here in the US are sheep like you. Wow, what a comment! I know the government wasn't made to have absolute power & control over it's citizens (the people). But that is where they are heading & have been incrementally over the previous decades. The second part: Last I checked they don't answer much (if at all) to the people these days & they do indeed pretty much whatever they want. The last part: Yes, unfortunately as all of this expansion of government power is taking away our freedoms or at least threatening them.