Your current location:HOME >health >With secret contract, U.S. uses spyware to supervise world: NYT 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 09:45:08 Source: Internet compilationEdit:health
This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinh
This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
The secret contract violates the Biden administration's public policy, and still appears to be active.
NEW YORK, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Under the secret contract finalized on Nov. 8, 2021, the Israeli firm, NSO Group, gave the U.S. government access to one of its most powerful weapons -- a geolocation tool that can covertly track mobile phones around the world without the phone user's knowledge or consent, reported The New York Times (NYT) on Sunday.
"Only five days earlier, the Biden administration had announced it was taking action against NSO, whose hacking tools for years had been abused by governments around the world to spy on political dissidents, human rights activists and journalists," said the report.
The White House placed NSO on a Commerce Department blacklist, declaring the company a national security threat and sending the message that American companies should stop doing business with it, according to the report.
The secret contract "violates the Biden administration's public policy, and still appears to be active," said the report, noting the contract stated that the "United States government" would be the ultimate user of the tool, although it is unclear which government agency authorized the deal and might be using the spyware.
"Asked about the contract, White House officials said it was news to them. Spokesmen for the White House and Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to make any further comment, leaving unresolved questions: What intelligence or law enforcement officials knew about the contract when it was signed?" asked the report.
"The secret contract further illuminates the ongoing battle for control of powerful cyberweapons, both among and within governments, including the United States," it added.
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry2024-05-21 09:37
Remains found nearly 50 years ago in Arizona identified as a Vietnam veteran from Minnesota2024-05-21 09:14
Gogglebox legend signs up for Celebs Go Dating after shock divorce announcement2024-05-21 09:12
Union push pits the United Farm Workers against a major California agricultural business2024-05-21 09:08
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire2024-05-21 08:54
Bayern offside is latest Champions League controversy for ref Marciniak after cup final successes2024-05-21 08:16
Scarlett Moffatt tells fans to 'embrace the boob gap' in swimsuit2024-05-21 07:58
Kosovo backs Ukraine even though Kyiv has not recognized its independence, foreign minister says2024-05-21 07:48
Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?2024-05-21 07:44
Maya Rudolph teases her return to SNL in new promo featuring her hiding in a closet2024-05-21 07:21
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue2024-05-21 09:38
Maya Rudolph teases her return to SNL in new promo featuring her hiding in a closet2024-05-21 09:33
Gogglebox legend signs up for Celebs Go Dating after shock divorce announcement2024-05-21 08:53
What happened when we sent LIZ JONES on a blind date2024-05-21 08:49
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form2024-05-21 08:03
Steve Albini dead: Legendary rock producer passes away aged 612024-05-21 08:00
From fan to hero, super sub Joselu lifts Real Madrid past Bayern and into Champions League final2024-05-21 07:53
Kourtney Kardashian opens up about undergoing 'terrifying' fetal surgery during 'high2024-05-21 07:34
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed2024-05-21 07:22
Ohio attorney general warns student protesters in masks could face felony charges under anti2024-05-21 07:00