On Fri, Jul 22, 2011 at 1:03 PM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:
<michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
Hey, Barrett. Checking to see if you've had any luck reaching any of the lulzsec guys about the news corp docs. I realize it's a long shot.
------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Riley
Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
(202) 624 1982
(720) 635 8553 (cell)
Twitter: @rileybloomberg
----- Original Message -----
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
To: MICHAEL RILEY (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
At: 7/21 14:42:38
I'll try, I don't have any direct means of getting in touch with them right
now.
On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 8:35 AM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM: <
michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> Hey, man. Here's the endgame thing. Cover of Businessweek this week.
>
>
> http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/cyber-weapons-the-new-arms-race-07212011.html
>
> So, lulzsec supposedly is working with some media on news of the world
> emails they have.
>
> Is it possible for you to approach topiary or one of the others and find
> out if they'd be willing to include us?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Michael Riley
> Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
> (202) 624 1982
> (720) 635 8553 (cell)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> To: MICHAEL RILEY (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
> At: 7/19 22:44:54
>
> Also, a California attorney who's provided pro bono assistance to other
> internet activists got in touch with me today offering to arrange some
> colleagues to represent any of the 12 people who will likely be tried in
> California's Northern District; I've also put him in touch with the
> National
> Lawyer's Guild so that they can begin coordinating.
>
> On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 6:24 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > One more thing - National Lawyer's Guild will be providing assistance to
> > those who need it. I've just put out this statement:
> > http://pastebin.com/ddPgpyCP
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 5:27 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >> It's telling me that number doesn't work; you can call me now though.
> >>
> >>
> >> On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 5:19 PM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM: <
> >> michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hey, give a call when you get off the phone: 202 954 1982
> >>>
> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> Michael Riley
> >>> Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
> >>> (202) 624 1982
> >>> (720) 635 8553 (cell)
> >>>
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> To: MICHAEL RILEY (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
> >>> At: 7/19 17:38:00
> >>>
> >>> Cool, thanks.
> >>>
> >>> On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 6:46 AM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM: <
> >>> michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> > Or the week after. You never know w these guys. But yep.
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > ---
> >>> > Sent From Bloomberg Mobile MSG
> >>> >
> >>> > ---- Original Message ----
> >>> > From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> > At: 7/18/2011 23:56
> >>> >
> >>> > Are you guys still bringing out a piece on Endgame?
> >>> >
> >>> > On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 4:32 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com
> >
> >>> > wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> > > The e-mails that Lulzsec took from CEO of Unveillance are located
> in
> >>> a
> >>> > > Gmail account set up by my main technical guy for easy searching.
> Go
> >>> to
> >>> > > gmail and use this to login:
> >>> > >
> >>> > > Login: karimhijazi.unveillance
> >>> > >
> >>> > > Password: hbgemail
> >>> > >
> >>> > > Just search Endgame and you'll find a number of discussions about
> >>> them as
> >>> > > well as a bit of communication between the CEO and John Farrell.
> >>> > >
> >>> > >
> >>> > > On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 1:31 PM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/
> NEWSROOM:
> >>> <
> >>> > > michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>> > >
> >>> > >> 202 624 1982...or after 5 pm eastern on my cell: 720 635 8553
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> ------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> > >> Michael Riley
> >>> > >> Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
> >>> > >> (202) 624 1982
> >>> > >> (720) 635 8553 (cell)
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> > >> From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> > >> To: MICHAEL RILEY (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
> >>> > >> At: 6/22 22:12:38
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> Oh, and here's another little tidbit:
> >>> > >> http://hbgary.anonleaks.ch/greg_hbgary_com/26795.html
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 9:11 PM, Barrett Brown <
> >>> barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> > >> wrote:
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> > Romas/COIN, the one I announced today. And this is the former
> NSA
> >>> > fellow
> >>> > >> > who went over to Pixar:
> >>> > >> > http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/press_room/2002/new_adr.shtml
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> > On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 9:10 PM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/
> >>> NEWSROOM: <
> >>> > >> > michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> >> Say it ain't so. Even Disney and Pixar?
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> Seriously, though. What's the connection? What project is he
> >>> talking
> >>> > >> about
> >>> > >> >> that links to pixar?
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> > >> >> Michael Riley
> >>> > >> >> Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
> >>> > >> >> (202) 624 1982
> >>> > >> >> (720) 635 8553 (cell)
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> > >> >> From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> > >> >> To: MICHAEL RILEY (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
> >>> > >> >> At: 6/22 21:56:32
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >>
> >>> >
> >>>
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jun/22/hacking-anonymous
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> Also, you might take a look at this:
> >>> > >> >> http://hbgary.anonleaks.ch/aaron_hbgary_com/8403.html
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 8:55 PM, MICHAEL RILEY, BLOOMBERG/
> >>> NEWSROOM:
> >>> > <
> >>> > >> >> michaelriley@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> > thx for the heads up, Barrett.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> > >> >> > Michael Riley
> >>> > >> >> > Washington bureau/Bloomberg News
> >>> > >> >> > (202) 624 1982
> >>> > >> >> > (720) 635 8553 (cell)
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >>> > >> >> > From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
> >>> > >> >> > To: ADRIENNE TOSCANO (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:), MICHAEL RILEY
> >>> > >> (BLOOMBERG/
> >>> > >> >> > NEWSROOM:)
> >>> > >> >> > At: 6/21 16:08:31
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Adrienne-
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > As I noted on the phone, an accompanying explanatory piece
> will
> >>> run
> >>> > >> in
> >>> > >> >> The
> >>> > >> >> > Guardian tomorrow, while the document itself, which I've
> pasted
> >>> > >> below,
> >>> > >> >> will
> >>> > >> >> > run on the wiki maintained by my group Project PM. The NYT
> has
> >>> a
> >>> > copy
> >>> > >> >> and
> >>> > >> >> > is
> >>> > >> >> > vetting it now; the e-mails may be verified and other details
> >>> > >> obtained
> >>> > >> >> by
> >>> > >> >> > way of this search engine maintained by Anonymous, which
> >>> acquired
> >>> > the
> >>> > >> >> > 71,000
> >>> > >> >> > e-mails in question in early February:
> >>> http://hbgary.anonleaks.ch/
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Michael, I'm cc'ing you on this to give you a heads up; let
> me
> >>> know
> >>> > >> if
> >>> > >> >> you
> >>> > >> >> > have any questions.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > ***
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > For at least two years, the U.S. has been conducting a
> >>> secretive
> >>> > and
> >>> > >> >> > immensely sophisticated campaign of mass surveillance and
> data
> >>> > mining
> >>> > >> >> > against the Arab world, allowing the intelligence community
> to
> >>> > >> monitor
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > habits, conversations, and activity of millions of
> individuals
> >>> at
> >>> > >> once.
> >>> > >> >> And
> >>> > >> >> > with an upgrade scheduled for later this year, the top
> >>> contender to
> >>> > >> win
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > federal contract and thus take over the program is a team of
> >>> about
> >>> > a
> >>> > >> >> dozen
> >>> > >> >> > companies which were brought together in large part by Aaron
> >>> Barr -
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > same
> >>> > >> >> > disgraced CEO who resigned from his own firm earlier this
> year
> >>> > after
> >>> > >> he
> >>> > >> >> was
> >>> > >> >> > discovered to have planned a full-scale information war
> against
> >>> > >> >> political
> >>> > >> >> > activists at the behest of corporate clients. The new
> >>> revelation
> >>> > >> >> provides
> >>> > >> >> > for a disturbing picture, particularly when viewed in a wider
> >>> > >> context.
> >>> > >> >> > Unprecedented surveillance capabilities are being produced by
> >>> an
> >>> > >> >> industry
> >>> > >> >> > that works in secret on applications that are nonetheless
> >>> funded by
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > American public and which in some cases are used against
> that
> >>> > very
> >>> > >> >> same
> >>> > >> >> > public. Their products are developed on demand for an
> >>> intelligence
> >>> > >> >> > community
> >>> > >> >> > that is not subject to Congressional oversight and which has
> >>> been
> >>> > >> >> > repeatedly
> >>> > >> >> > shown to have misused its existing powers in ways that
> violate
> >>> U.S.
> >>> > >> law
> >>> > >> >> as
> >>> > >> >> > well as American ideals. And with expanded intelligence
> >>> > capabilities
> >>> > >> by
> >>> > >> >> > which to monitor Arab populations in ways that would have
> >>> > previously
> >>> > >> >> been
> >>> > >> >> > impossible, those same intelligence agencies now have
> improved
> >>> > means
> >>> > >> by
> >>> > >> >> > which to provide information on dissidents to those regional
> >>> > >> dictators
> >>> > >> >> > viewed by the U.S. as strategic allies.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > The nature and extent of the operation, which was known as
> >>> > >> Romas/COIN
> >>> > >> >> and
> >>> > >> >> > which is scheduled for replacement sometime this year by a
> >>> similar
> >>> > >> >> program
> >>> > >> >> > known as Odyssey, may be determined in part by a close
> reading
> >>> of
> >>> > >> >> hundreds
> >>> > >> >> > of e-mails among the 70,000 that were stolen in February from
> >>> the
> >>> > >> >> > contracting firm HBGary Federal and its parent company
> HBGary.
> >>> > Other
> >>> > >> >> > details
> >>> > >> >> > may be gleaned by an examination of the various other firms
> and
> >>> > >> >> individuals
> >>> > >> >> > that are discussed as being potential partners.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Of course, there are many in the U.S. that would prefer that
> >>> such
> >>> > >> >> details
> >>> > >> >> > not be revealed at all; such people tend to cite the
> amorphous
> >>> and
> >>> > >> >> > much-abused concept of national security as sufficient
> reason
> >>> for
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > citizenry to stand idly by as an ever-expanding coalition of
> >>> > >> government
> >>> > >> >> > agencies and semi-private corporations gain greater influence
> >>> over
> >>> > >> U.S.
> >>> > >> >> > foreign policy. That the last decade of foreign policy as
> >>> practiced
> >>> > >> by
> >>> > >> >> such
> >>> > >> >> > individuals has been an absolute disaster even by the
> admission
> >>> of
> >>> > >> many
> >>> > >> >> of
> >>> > >> >> > those who put it into place will not phase those who
> >>> nonetheless
> >>> > >> believe
> >>> > >> >> > that the citizenry should be prevented from knowing what is
> >>> being
> >>> > >> done
> >>> > >> >> in
> >>> > >> >> > its name and with its tax dollars.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > To the extent that the actions of a government are divorced
> >>> from
> >>> > the
> >>> > >> >> > informed consent of those who pay for such actions, such a
> >>> > government
> >>> > >> is
> >>> > >> >> > illegitimate. To the extent that power is concentrated in the
> >>> hands
> >>> > >> of
> >>> > >> >> > small
> >>> > >> >> > groups of men who wield such power behind the scenes, there
> is
> >>> no
> >>> > >> >> assurance
> >>> > >> >> > that such power will be used in a manner that is compatible
> >>> with
> >>> > the
> >>> > >> >> actual
> >>> > >> >> > interests of that citizenry, or populations elsewhere. The
> >>> known
> >>> > >> history
> >>> > >> >> of
> >>> > >> >> > the U.S. intelligence community is comprised in large part of
> >>> > murder,
> >>> > >> >> > assassinations, disinformation, the topping of democratic
> >>> > >> governments,
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > abuse of the rights of U.S. citizens, and a great number of
> >>> other
> >>> > >> things
> >>> > >> >> > that cannot even be defended on national security grounds
> >>> > insomuch
> >>> > >> as
> >>> > >> >> > that
> >>> > >> >> > many such actions have quite correctly turned entire
> >>> populations
> >>> > >> against
> >>> > >> >> > the
> >>> > >> >> > U.S. government. This is not only my opinion, but also the
> >>> opinion
> >>> > of
> >>> > >> >> > countless individuals who once served in the intelligence
> >>> community
> >>> > >> and
> >>> > >> >> > have
> >>> > >> >> > since come to criticize it and even unveil many of its
> secrets
> >>> in
> >>> > an
> >>> > >> >> effort
> >>> > >> >> > to alert the citizenry to what has been unleashed against the
> >>> world
> >>> > >> in
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > name of security.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Likewise, I will here provide as much information as I can
> on
> >>> > >> >> Romas/COIN
> >>> > >> >> > and its upcoming replacement.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > ***
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Although the relatively well-known military contractor
> >>> Northrop
> >>> > >> Grumman
> >>> > >> >> > had
> >>> > >> >> > long held the contract for Romas/COIN, such contracts are
> >>> subject
> >>> > to
> >>> > >> >> > regular
> >>> > >> >> > recompetes by which other companies, or several working in
> >>> tandem,
> >>> > >> can
> >>> > >> >> > apply
> >>> > >> >> > to take over. In early February, HBGary Federal CEO Aaron
> Barr
> >>> > wrote
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > following e-mail to Al Pisani, an executive at the much
> larger
> >>> > >> federal
> >>> > >> >> > contractor TASC, a company which until recently had been
> owned
> >>> by
> >>> > >> >> Northrop
> >>> > >> >> > and which was now looking to compete with it for lucrative
> >>> > contracts:
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > "I met with [Mantech CEO] Bob Frisbie the other day to catch
> >>> up.
> >>> > He
> >>> > >> is
> >>> > >> >> > looking to expand a capability in IO related to the COIN
> >>> re-compete
> >>> > >> but
> >>> > >> >> > more
> >>> > >> >> > for DoD. He told me he has a few acquisitions in the works
> that
> >>> > will
> >>> > >> >> > increase his capability in this area. So just a thought that
> it
> >>> > might
> >>> > >> be
> >>> > >> >> > worth a phone call to see if there is any synergy and
> strength
> >>> > >> between
> >>> > >> >> TASC
> >>> > >> >> > and ManTech in this area. I think forming a team and response
> >>> to
> >>> > >> compete
> >>> > >> >> > against SAIC will be tough but doable." IO in this context
> >>> stands
> >>> > for
> >>> > >> >> > information operations, while COIN itself, as noted in an
> NDA
> >>> > >> attached
> >>> > >> >> to
> >>> > >> >> > one of the e-mails, stands for counter intelligence. SAIC is
> a
> >>> > >> larger
> >>> > >> >> > intelligence contractor that was expected to pursue the
> >>> recompete
> >>> > as
> >>> > >> >> well.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Pisani agreed to the idea, and in conjunction with Barr and
> >>> fellow
> >>> > >> TASC
> >>> > >> >> > exec John Lovegrove, the growing party spent much of the next
> >>> year
> >>> > >> >> working
> >>> > >> >> > to create a partnership of firms capable of providing the
> >>> client
> >>> > -
> >>> > >> a
> >>> > >> >> U.S.
> >>> > >> >> > agency that is never specified in the hundreds of e-mails
> that
> >>> > follow
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> >> > with
> >>> > >> >> > capabilities that would outmatch those being provided by
> >>> Northrop,
> >>> > >> SAIC,
> >>> > >> >> or
> >>> > >> >> > other competitors.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Several e-mails in particular provide a great deal of
> material
> >>> by
> >>> > >> which
> >>> > >> >> to
> >>> > >> >> > determine the scope and intent of Romas/COIN. One that Barr
> >>> wrote
> >>> > to
> >>> > >> his
> >>> > >> >> > own
> >>> > >> >> > e-mail account, likely for the purpose of adding to other
> >>> documents
> >>> > >> >> later,
> >>> > >> >> > is entitled Notes on COIN. It begins with a list of entries
> >>> for
> >>> > >> >> various
> >>> > >> >> > facets of the program, all of which are blank and were
> >>> presumably
> >>> > >> filled
> >>> > >> >> > out
> >>> > >> >> > later: ISP, Operations, Language/Culture, Media Development,
> >>> > >> Marketing
> >>> > >> >> and
> >>> > >> >> > Advertising, Security, MOE. Afterwards, another list
> consists
> >>> of
> >>> > the
> >>> > >> >> > following: Capabilities, Mobile Development, Challenges,
> MOE,
> >>> > >> >> > Infrastructure, Security. Finally, a list of the following
> >>> > websites
> >>> > >> is
> >>> > >> >> > composed, many of which represent various small companies
> that
> >>> > >> provide
> >>> > >> >> > niche
> >>> > >> >> > marketing services pursuant to mobile phones.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > More helpful is a later e-mail from Lovegrove to Barr and
> some
> >>> of
> >>> > >> his
> >>> > >> >> > colleagues at TASC in which he announces the following:
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *Our team consists of:*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- TASC (PMO, creative services)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- HB Gary (Strategy, planning, PMO)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Akamai (infrastructure)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Archimedes Global (Specialized linguistics, strategy,
> >>> planning)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Acclaim Technical Services (specialized linguistics)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Mission Essential Personnel (linguistic services)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Cipher (strategy, planning operations)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- PointAbout (rapid mobile application development, list of
> >>> > >> strategic*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *partners)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Google (strategy, mobile application and platform
> >>> development -
> >>> > >> long*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *list of strategic partners)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *- Apple (mobile and desktop platform, application assistance
> >>> -long
> >>> > >> >> list*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *of strategic partners)*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *We are trying to schedule an interview with ATT plus some
> >>> other
> >>> > >> small
> >>> > >> >> app
> >>> > >> >> > developers.*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > From these and dozens of other clues and references, the
> >>> following
> >>> > >> may
> >>> > >> >> be
> >>> > >> >> > determined about the nature of Romas/COIN:
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > 1.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Mobile phone software and applications constitute a major
> >>> > component
> >>> > >> of
> >>> > >> >> > the program.
> >>> > >> >> > 2.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > There's discussion of bringing in a gaming developer,
> >>> > apparently
> >>> > >> at
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > behest of Barr, who mentions that the team could make good
> >>> use of
> >>> > >> a
> >>> > >> >> > social
> >>> > >> >> > gaming company maybe like zynga, gameloft, etc. Lovegrove
> >>> > >> elsewhere
> >>> > >> >> > notes:
> >>> > >> >> > I know a couple of small gaming companies at MIT that
> might
> >>> fit
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > bill.
> >>> > >> >> > 3.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Apple and Google were active team partners, and AT&T may
> have
> >>> > been
> >>> > >> as
> >>> > >> >> > well. The latter is known to have provided the NSA free
> reign
> >>> > over
> >>> > >> >> > customer
> >>> > >> >> > communications (and was in turn protected by a bill
> granting
> >>> them
> >>> > >> >> > retroactive immunity from lawsuits). Google itself is the
> >>> only
> >>> > >> company
> >>> > >> >> to
> >>> > >> >> > have received a Hostile to Privacy rating from Privacy
> >>> > >> >> International.
> >>> > >> >> > Apple is currently being investigated by Congress after the
> >>> > iPhone
> >>> > >> was
> >>> > >> >> > revealed to compile user location data in a way that
> differs
> >>> from
> >>> > >> >> other
> >>> > >> >> > mobile phones; the company has claimed this to have been a
> >>> bug.
> >>> > >> >> > 4.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > The program makes use of several providers of linguistic
> >>> > >> services.
> >>> > >> >> At
> >>> > >> >> > one point, the team discusses hiring a military-trained
> >>> Arabic
> >>> > >> >> linguist.
> >>> > >> >> > Elsewhere, Barr writes: I feel confident I can get you a
> >>> ringer
> >>> > >> for
> >>> > >> >> > Farsi
> >>> > >> >> > if they are still interested in Farsi (we need to find that
> >>> out).
> >>> > >> >> These
> >>> > >> >> > linguists are not only going to be developing new content
> but
> >>> > also
> >>> > >> >> > meeting
> >>> > >> >> > with folks, so they have to have native or near native
> >>> > proficiency
> >>> > >> and
> >>> > >> >> > have
> >>> > >> >> > to have the cultural relevance as well.
> >>> > >> >> > 5.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Alterion and SocialEyez are listed as businesses to
> >>> contact.
> >>> > The
> >>> > >> >> former
> >>> > >> >> > specializes in social media monitoring tools. The latter
> >>> uses
> >>> > >> >> > sophisticated natural language processing methodology in
> >>> order
> >>> > to
> >>> > >> >> > process
> >>> > >> >> > tens of millions of multi-lingual conversations daily
> while
> >>> also
> >>> > >> >> > employing
> >>> > >> >> > researchers and media analysts on the ground; its website
> >>> also
> >>> > >> notes
> >>> > >> >> > that
> >>> > >> >> > Millions of people around the globe are now networked as
> >>> never
> >>> > >> before
> >>> > >> >> -
> >>> > >> >> > exchanging information and ideas, forming opinions, and
> >>> speaking
> >>> > >> their
> >>> > >> >> > minds
> >>> > >> >> > about everything from politics to products.
> >>> > >> >> > 6.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > At one point, TASC exec Chris Clair asks Aaron and others,
> >>> Can
> >>> > we
> >>> > >> >> name
> >>> > >> >> > COIN Saif? Saif is the sword an Arab executioner uses when
> >>> they
> >>> > >> >> > decapitate
> >>> > >> >> > criminals. I can think of a few cool brands for this.
> >>> > >> >> > 7.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > A diagram attached to one of Barr's e-mails to the group (
> >>> > >> >> > http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/pmo.png/) depicts
> >>> Magpii
> >>> > as
> >>> > >> >> > interacting in some unspecified manner with Foreign
> Mobile
> >>> and
> >>> > >> >> Foreign
> >>> > >> >> > Web. Magpii is a project of Barr's own creation which
> stands
> >>> for
> >>> > >> >> > Magnify
> >>> > >> >> > Personal Identifying Information, involves social
> >>> networking,
> >>> > and
> >>> > >> is
> >>> > >> >> > designed for the purpose of storing personal information on
> >>> > users.
> >>> > >> >> > Although
> >>> > >> >> > details are difficult to determine from references in
> Barr's
> >>> > >> e-mails,
> >>> > >> >> he
> >>> > >> >> > discusses the project almost exclusively with members of
> >>> military
> >>> > >> >> > intelligence to which he was pitching the idea.
> >>> > >> >> > 8.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > There are sporadic references such things as semantic
> >>> analysis,
> >>> > >> >> Latent
> >>> > >> >> > Semantic Indexing, specialized linguistics, and OPS, a
> >>> > >> programming
> >>> > >> >> > language designed for solving problems using expert
> systems.
> >>> > >> >> > 9.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Barr asks the team's partner at Apple, Andy Kemp (whose
> >>> signature
> >>> > >> >> lists
> >>> > >> >> > him as being from the company's Homeland Defense/National
> >>> > Programs
> >>> > >> >> > division), to provide him a contact at Pixar/Disney.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Altogether, then, a successful bid for the relevant contract
> >>> was
> >>> > >> seen
> >>> > >> >> to
> >>> > >> >> > require the combined capabilities of perhaps a dozen firms
> >>> > >> >> capabilities
> >>> > >> >> > whereby millions of conversations can be monitored and
> >>> > automatically
> >>> > >> >> > analyzed, whereby a wide range of personal data can be
> obtained
> >>> and
> >>> > >> >> stored
> >>> > >> >> > in secret, and whereby some unknown degree of information can
> >>> be
> >>> > >> >> released
> >>> > >> >> > to
> >>> > >> >> > a given population through a variety of means and without any
> >>> hint
> >>> > >> that
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > actual source is U.S. military intelligence. All this is
> merely
> >>> in
> >>> > >> >> addition
> >>> > >> >> > to whichever additional capabilities are not evident from the
> >>> > limited
> >>> > >> >> > description available, with the program as a whole presumably
> >>> being
> >>> > >> >> > operated
> >>> > >> >> > in conjunction with other surveillance and propaganda assets
> >>> > >> controlled
> >>> > >> >> by
> >>> > >> >> > the U.S. and its partners.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Whatever the exact nature and scope of COIN, the firms that
> >>> had
> >>> > been
> >>> > >> >> > assembled for the purpose by Barr and TASC never got a chance
> >>> to
> >>> > bid
> >>> > >> on
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > program's recompete. In late September, Lovegrove noted to
> Barr
> >>> and
> >>> > >> >> others
> >>> > >> >> > that he'd spoken to the CO [contracting officer] for COIN.
> >>> The
> >>> > >> >> current
> >>> > >> >> > procurement approach is cancelled [sic], she cited changed
> >>> > >> >> requirements,
> >>> > >> >> > he
> >>> > >> >> > reported. They will be coming out with some documents in a
> >>> month
> >>> > or
> >>> > >> >> two,
> >>> > >> >> > most likely an updated RFI [request for information]. There
> >>> will be
> >>> > a
> >>> > >> >> > procurement following soon after. We are on the list to
> receive
> >>> all
> >>> > >> >> > information." On January 18th of next year, Lovegrove
> provided
> >>> an
> >>> > >> >> update:
> >>> > >> >> > I
> >>> > >> >> > just spoke to the group chief on the contracts side (Doug K).
> >>> COIN
> >>> > >> has
> >>> > >> >> been
> >>> > >> >> > replaced by a procurement called Odyssey. He says that it is
> in
> >>> the
> >>> > >> >> > formative stages and that something should be released this
> >>> year.
> >>> > The
> >>> > >> >> > contracting officer is Kim R. He believes that Jason is the
> >>> COTR
> >>> > >> >> > [contracting officer's technical representative]. Another
> clue
> >>> is
> >>> > >> >> provided
> >>> > >> >> > in the ensuing discussion when a TASC executive asks, Does
> >>> Odyssey
> >>> > >> >> combine
> >>> > >> >> > the Technology and Content pieces of the work?
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > The unexpected change-up didn't seem to phase the corporate
> >>> > >> >> partnership,
> >>> > >> >> > which was still a top contender to compete for the upcoming
> >>> Odyssey
> >>> > >> >> > procurement. Later e-mails indicate a meeting between key
> >>> members
> >>> > of
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > group and the contracting officer for Odyssey at a location
> >>> noted
> >>> > as
> >>> > >> >> HQ,
> >>> > >> >> > apparently for a briefing on requirements for the new
> program,
> >>> on
> >>> > >> >> February
> >>> > >> >> > 3
> >>> > >> >> > rd of 2011. But two days after that meeting, the servers of
> >>> HBGary
> >>> > >> and
> >>> > >> >> > HBGary Federal were hacked by a small team of Anonymous
> >>> operatives
> >>> > in
> >>> > >> >> > retaliation for Barr's boasts to Financial Times that he had
> >>> > >> identified
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > movement's leadership; 70,000 e-mails were thereafter
> >>> released
> >>> > onto
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > internet. Barr resigned a few weeks later.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Along with clues as to the nature of COIN and its scheduled
> >>> > >> >> replacement, a
> >>> > >> >> > close study of the HBGary e-mails also provide reasons to be
> >>> > >> concerned
> >>> > >> >> with
> >>> > >> >> > the fact that such things are being developed and deployed in
> >>> the
> >>> > way
> >>> > >> >> that
> >>> > >> >> > they are. In addition to being the driving force behind the
> >>> COIN
> >>> > >> >> recompete,
> >>> > >> >> > Barr was also at the center of a series of conspiracies by
> >>> which
> >>> > his
> >>> > >> own
> >>> > >> >> > company and two others hired out their collective
> capabilities
> >>> for
> >>> > >> use
> >>> > >> >> by
> >>> > >> >> > corporations that sought to destroy their political enemies
> by
> >>> > >> >> clandestine
> >>> > >> >> > and dishonest means, some of which appear to be illegal. None
> >>> of
> >>> > the
> >>> > >> >> > companies involved have been investigated; a proposed
> >>> Congressional
> >>> > >> >> inquiry
> >>> > >> >> > was denied by the committee chair, noting that it was the
> >>> Justice
> >>> > >> >> > Department's decision as to whether to investigate, even
> though
> >>> it
> >>> > >> was
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > Justice Department itself that made the initial
> introductions.
> >>> > Those
> >>> > >> in
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > intelligence contracting industry who believe themselves
> above
> >>> the
> >>> > >> law
> >>> > >> >> are
> >>> > >> >> > entirely correct.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > That such firms will continue to target the public with
> >>> advanced
> >>> > >> >> > information warfare capabilities on behalf of major
> >>> corporations is
> >>> > >> by
> >>> > >> >> > itself an extraordinary danger to mankind as a whole,
> >>> particularly
> >>> > >> >> insomuch
> >>> > >> >> > as that such capabilities are becoming more effective while
> >>> > remaining
> >>> > >> >> > largely unknown outside of the intelligence industry. But a
> far
> >>> > >> greater
> >>> > >> >> > danger is posed by the practice of arming small and
> >>> unaccountable
> >>> > >> groups
> >>> > >> >> of
> >>> > >> >> > state and military personnel with a set of tools by which to
> >>> > achieve
> >>> > >> >> better
> >>> > >> >> > and better situational awareness on entire populations
> while
> >>> also
> >>> > >> >> being
> >>> > >> >> > able to manipulate the information flow in such a way as to
> >>> deceive
> >>> > >> >> those
> >>> > >> >> > same populations. The idea that such power can be wielded
> >>> without
> >>> > >> being
> >>> > >> >> > misused is contradicted by even a brief review of history.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > History also demonstrates that the state will claim such
> >>> powers as
> >>> > a
> >>> > >> >> > necessity in fighting some considerable threat; the U.S. has
> >>> > defended
> >>> > >> >> its
> >>> > >> >> > recent expansion of powers by claiming they will only be
> >>> deployed
> >>> > to
> >>> > >> >> fight
> >>> > >> >> > terrorism and will never be used against Ameerican civilians.
> >>> This
> >>> > is
> >>> > >> >> cold
> >>> > >> >> > comfort for those in the Arab world who are aware of the long
> >>> > history
> >>> > >> of
> >>> > >> >> > U.S. material support for regimes they find convenient,
> >>> including
> >>> > >> those
> >>> > >> >> of
> >>> > >> >> > Saddam Hussein, Hosni Mubarak, and the House of Saud. Nor
> >>> should
> >>> > >> >> Americans
> >>> > >> >> > be comforted by such promises from a government that has no
> way
> >>> of
> >>> > >> >> ensuring
> >>> > >> >> > that they will be kept; it was just a few months ago that a
> >>> U.S.
> >>> > >> general
> >>> > >> >> in
> >>> > >> >> > Afghanistan ordered a military intelligence unit to use
> pysops
> >>> on
> >>> > >> >> visiting
> >>> > >> >> > senators in an effort to secure increased funding for the
> war,
> >>> an
> >>> > >> >> illegal
> >>> > >> >> > act; only a few days prior, CENTCOM spokesmen were
> confidently
> >>> > >> telling
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > public that such other psychological capabilities as persona
> >>> > >> management
> >>> > >> >> > would never be used on Americans as that would be illegal.
> The
> >>> fact
> >>> > >> is
> >>> > >> >> that
> >>> > >> >> > such laws have been routinely broken by the military and
> >>> > intelligence
> >>> > >> >> > community, who are now been joined in this practice by
> segments
> >>> of
> >>> > >> the
> >>> > >> >> > federal contracting industry.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > It is inevitable, then, that such capabilities as form the
> >>> > backbone
> >>> > >> of
> >>> > >> >> > Romas/COIN and its replacement Odyssey will be deployed
> against
> >>> a
> >>> > >> >> growing
> >>> > >> >> > segment of the world's population. The powerful institutions
> >>> that
> >>> > >> wield
> >>> > >> >> > them
> >>> > >> >> > will grow all the more powerful as they are provided better
> and
> >>> > >> better
> >>> > >> >> > methods by which to monitor, deceive, and manipulate. The
> >>> informed
> >>> > >> >> > electorate upon which liberty depends will be increasingly
> >>> > >> misinformed.
> >>> > >> >> No
> >>> > >> >> > tactical advantage conferred by the use of these programs can
> >>> > >> outweigh
> >>> > >> >> the
> >>> > >> >> > damage that will be done to mankind in the process of
> creating
> >>> > them.
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *Barrett Brown*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > *Project PM*
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > On Tue, Jun 21, 2011 at 3:04 PM, ADRIENNE TOSCANO, BLOOMBERG/
> >>> > >> NEWSROOM:
> >>> > >> >> <
> >>> > >> >> > atoscano2@bloomberg.net> wrote:
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > > Barrit, Per our conversation would you please send me
> details
> >>> > about
> >>> > >> >> your
> >>> > >> >> > > announcement tomorrow. Thanks, Adrienne
> >>> > >> >> > >
> >>> > >> >> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> > >> >> > > Adrienne Toscano
> >>> > >> >> > > Segment Producer - Bloomberg TV
> >>> > >> >> > > 212-617-2366
> >>> > >> >> > > atoscano2@bloomberg.net
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > --
> >>> > >> >> > Regards,
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >> > Barrett Brown
> >>> > >> >> > 512-560-2302
> >>> > >> >> >
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> --
> >>> > >> >> Regards,
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >> Barrett Brown
> >>> > >> >> 512-560-2302
> >>> > >> >>
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> > --
> >>> > >> > Regards,
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >> > Barrett Brown
> >>> > >> > 512-560-2302
> >>> > >> >
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> --
> >>> > >> Regards,
> >>> > >>
> >>> > >> Barrett Brown
> >>> > >> 512-560-2302
> >>> > >
> >>> > >
> >>> > >
> >>> > >
> >>> > > --
> >>> > > Regards,
> >>> > >
> >>> > > Barrett Brown
> >>> > > 512-560-2302
> >>> > >
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > --
> >>> > Regards,
> >>> >
> >>> > Barrett Brown
> >>> > 512-560-2302
> >>> >
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Regards,
> >>>
> >>> Barrett Brown
> >>> 512-560-2302
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> Barrett Brown
> >> 512-560-2302
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Barrett Brown
> > 512-560-2302
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Barrett Brown
> 512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302