7 replies to this topic

[Onikhaosifix]

A simple internet search conducted by the Chicago Tribune newspaper and published today has revealed the identities of 2,653 CIA agents, including covert agents. Other information uncovered through the net included 50 internal telephone numbers and the locations of at least two doazen secret facilities outside the USA.

The discovery that the CIA's complex system of cover can be so easily unravelled is said to have "horrified" CIA director Porter Goss. Chief spokeswoman Jennifer Dyck told the paper that "cover is a complex issue that is more complex in the Internet age. There are things that worked previously that no longer work." She said the CIA's methods were being remedied, but declined to go into detail "since we don't want the bad guys to know what we're fixing."

The Tribune did not publish any names at the agency's request but did say that it had ocated two dozen CIA facilities in Chicago, northern Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington state. Some of these were reported to be heavily guarded, but others appeared to outsiders to be private residences.

Through a variety of data providers, the newspaper said it identified people by telephone listings, real estate transactions, voting records, property tax records and other financial and legal documents. When asked whether terorist groups could use the same tactics, a senior US intelligence official acknowledged that "I don't know whether al-Qaeda could do this, but the Chinese could."

Although only a small percentage of what the Chicago Tribune uncovered could be considered a potential security risk the discovery is a huge embarrassment for the agency, and the latest in a long line of leaks and security breaches within the US administration. The revelations come as the Department of Justice continues an investigation into whether members of the Bush administration deliberately exposed the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the press last year.

Sources:
CNN
BBC

[Reedbeta]

While I wouldn't wish for any CIA agents to be put in danger because of information like this, I have to say: Hurray for the internet! "Information wants to be free."

[geon]

Can you imagine some people believe they have the capacity to monitior all phone lines. Ha! And they can't even do a Ego Google.

But maby all their computer people are busy with all that phone monitoring...

[TheNut]

Heh. Imagine you’re a CIA agent undercover for a big drug cartel. The boss calls you upstairs and turns his monitor to you. On it, it says: “Google search results. You are a CIA agent”. pWned.

[Methulah]

It does make life difficult for undercover operatives. I think there should be an uplink/resevoir dogs style game where you have to hack the mainframe to gt the details of the person in your group that is an undercover cop.

That would kick arse.

[kusma]

does this mean i should google the names of everyone i sell drugs to?

[bignobody]

kusma said:

does this mean i should google the names of everyone i sell drugs to?

Sure, but if one of your customers turns out to be a CIA agent, it's probably already too late for you ;)

[Onikhaosifix]

kusma said:

does this mean i should google the names of everyone i sell drugs to?

lmao. Reminds me of "The Wire" on HBO.