NSA surveillance retrospective: AT&T, Verizon never denied it

　　When Internet companies were recently accused of allowing the National Security Agency direct access to their servers, they strenuously denied it. But when AT&T was accused of allowing the NSA direct access to its network, it did the opposite.
　　Mark Klein, who worked as an AT&T technician for over 22 years, disclosed in 2006 (PDF) that he met with NSA officials and witnessed domestic Internet traffic being "diverted" through a "splitter cabinet" to secure room 641A in one of the company's San Francisco facilities. Only NSA-cleared technicians were allowed to work on equipment in the SG3 secure room, Klein said, adding that he was told similar taps existed in other major cities.
　　AT&T never denied it. Instead, in defending a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the company sought to downplay the reasons NSA-controlled hardware existed on its network.
　　In May 2006, CNET obtained an improperly redacted PDF document (PDF) that AT&T's lawyers filed in that lawsuit. The redacted portions argued: "Although the plaintiffs ominously refer to the equipment as the 'Surveillance Configuration,' the same physical equipment could be utilized exclusively for other surveillance in full compliance with" the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
　　CNET asked AT&T at the time: "Have you turned over information or opened up your networks to the NSA without being compelled by law?" A company spokesman would not answer the question.
　　A few months later, Justice Department attorneys told a federal judge (PDF) that AT&T can "neither confirm nor deny whether it was indeed cooperating with the NSA."
　　That's the opposite of what Internet companies including Microsoft, Google, and Facebook have done since initial reports -- which have since been shown to be incorrect -- in The Washington Post and Guardian newspapers alleged the NSA had "direct access" to the companies' servers. (The Post's editorial board yesterday acknowledged there was nothing untoward going on.)
　　Not only have the tech companies denied allegations of NSA access, they've done so at great length.
　　Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg provided a categorical denial, including saying that "we have never received a blanket request or court order from any government agency asking for information or metadata in bulk." Google CEO Larry Page said flatly that "the U.S. government does not have direct access or a 'back door' to the information stored in our data centers." Apple, Yahoo, and Microsoft have made similar statements.
　　Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, gave lengthy interviews yesterday to PBS Newshour and Fox News describing how the company complies with legal orders. CNET was the first to disclose last month that Google is currently fighting the FBI over the legality of secret "national security letters" in court in New York and San Francisco.
　　In addition, it turned out that the so-called PRISM program is not the name of a spy program after all: It's the name of an internal NSA software tool that's used to collate data collected through a legal process created by Congress in 2008 and last renewed in December 2012. That "702" process, overseen by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the Justice Department, and Congress, requires companies to comply with orders for information on non-U.S. citizens in investigations related to "prevention of terrorism, hostile cyberactivities, or nuclear proliferation."
　　That seems to be why Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat who chairs a Senate privacy subcommittee and has a reputation as an outspoken privacy advocate and critic of Silicon Valley companies, told CBS affiliate WCCO that he had been briefed on the 702 process and has no privacy concerns. "I can assure you that this isn't about spying on the American people," Franken said.
　　The Internet companies have asked Attorney General Eric Holder to lift secrecy restrictions on 702 orders so they can clear their name, in part by disclosing how many records they have turned over in response to legal process. Google sent an open letter to Holder yesterday, and Facebook and Microsoft have also asked the Justice Department for permission to divulge summary statistics. Holder has not responded.
　　By contrast, AT&T never asked for permission to disclose NSA surveillance. Instead, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Carl Nichols said during a 2006 court hearing in San Francisco that a discussion of all the "facts" about NSA surveillance could only happen in a classified setting. The Bush administration asked that the case be tossed out on "state secrets" grounds.
　　James Bamford, in his 2008 book "The Shadow Factory," described AT&T's participation in Bush's warrantless wiretapping program as:
　　For decades, AT&T and much of the rest of the telecommunications industry have had a very secret, very cozy relationship with the NSA... [NSA Director Michael Hayden] succeeded in gaining the secret cooperation of nearly all of the nation's telecommunications giants for his warrantless eavesdropping program. Within a year, engineers were busy installing highly secret, heavily locked rooms in key AT&T switches, among them Bridgeton, New York City, and the company's major West Coast central office in San Francisco. From then on the data -- including both address information and content -- would flow through the PacketScopes directly to the NSA.
　　Verizon, too, never sent an open letter to the federal government asking that a gag order be lifted. The company secretly hands the NSA daily logs of all customers' phone calls, according to a court order that the Guardian published last week. When USA Today disclosed this program in 2006, saying that NSA was vacuuming up phone logs, Verizon didn't deny it. Instead, a spokesman told the newspaper only that "we do not comment on national security matters."
　　The Bush administration confirmed the existence of warrantless wiretapping with the help of telecommunications companies when it asked Congress to grant retroactive immunity to the providers that participated. Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), the Intelligence Committee's chairman at the time, said the providers "should not be penalized for their willingness to heed the call during a national emergency" -- despite the fact that any "emergency" by then would have lasted over six years.
　　A 2009 book on the NSA titled "The Secret Sentry," by Matthew Aid, suggested that executives at AT&T and the other telecommunications providers knew they were violating criminal wiretapping laws. Aid wrote:
　　As one NSA retiree put it, "why then would they need immunity if what they did was legal?" After reading a spate of newspaper reports on the subject, a disgusted NSA official said, "They keep trying to give the telecoms a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. That tells me there is something illegal about what the companies have been doing. [The immunity deal] stinks to high heaven."

The screenshots disclosed Microsoft's operate

　　Apple famously misplaced an apple iphone four prototype in the bar, sparking a hunt for that people linked to the loss and sale of your handset. Microsoft has also shed a cellphone, 1 working a foreseeable future Windows Cellular phone 'Blue' edition of its cell software package. A Reddit user posted screenshots and data received with the system about the weekend, making fascination in unannounced attributes for Windows Cell phone which integrated an early prototype of a notification middle. The Verge achieved out for the Reddit consumer in dilemma, which will be the tale of your shed magic formula Home windows Mobile phone.
　　Jeremiah Wong ordered a Lumia 920 from eBay on June 5th from the vendor situated in Seattle. "The cellphone within the photographs looked distinctive," claims Wong, talking completely for the Verge. "Mainly the start Screen had the comments hub, also etching over the back again that browse MSFT." Wong at first believed the gadget was a developer kit due to the fact it had the particular etching alongside a cracked monitor, but it really was a lot a lot more critical. So significant in actual fact that Microsoft required it back.

　　After publishing screenshots of your software package working about the machine, and accidentally revealing his cellphone variety from the procedure, Wong was contacted by Microsoft's lawful team. Microsoft locked the mobile phone remotely and requested that Wong consider down his images from his Flickr account. "Apparently the guy who owned it lost it on the bus. It had been then picked up and marketed," he suggests. Rather than pursuing Wong, Microsoft has made available to reimburse him for the expense of the unit as well as ship him a replacement cell phone. "I was incredibly astonished on the lack of intimidation and in many cases extra surprised at their accommodation," says Wong.
　　Resources acquainted with Microsoft's Windows Phone designs have revealed into the Verge the software is early prototype function for an upcoming update codenamed Blue. Describing the application, Wong claims it experienced "pretty much all the things he needed," but that "a couple factors necessary work nevertheless." The screenshots disclosed Microsoft's operate on the much-requested notification heart for Windows Mobile phone and a few advancements to multitasking and the basic usability with the application perspective.
　　Given that the improvements are only at the prototyping phase, it is really unlikely that all of them will likely be integrated inside of a ultimate version of Home windows Telephone Blue. The Verge understands this update isn't scheduled for launch right until early next 12 months. While the screenshots present a notification center as element of a independent software, it's likely this implementation ?a if it ships whatsoever ?a will change by the time Windows Cellular phone Blue is released.
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Will iOS 7′s Activation Lock really deter iPhone theft?

　　During the massive WWDC keynote today the folks at Apple walked the audience of developers through several new features of iOS 7, the operating system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. Toward the end of the keynote one really interesting and useful feature got a mention but barely any talk time: Activation Lock. There were no demos or anything, but Activation Lock might be one of the most important updates to iOS in a long time.
　　Activation Lock builds on the security and theft recovery already available to iOS devices in the form of Find My iPhone. This feature turned on, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac owners can locate a missing device using another compatible Apple product. The service shows where your missing device is on a map, will play a sound to help you locate it if it’s lost in your house, and will even remotely lock your device or wipe it to protect your data. All of that is awesome, but what if your iOS device is not just misplaced, but stolen? If the thief is at all smart (and hey, some aren’t…) they won’t give you a chance to find your iPhone or iPad. Instead of leaving Find My iPhone on, the thief might turn it off and/or factory reset/wipe the device themselves. If the goal is to resell the device and not steal your personal information, this method is handy.
　　Well, until now. With Activation Lock the iOS device will continue to display the Lock screen “please call me to return my iPhone” message even after the phone is wiped by the thief. No one will be able to re-activate or get into the device without the original owner’s Apple ID and password. Don’t have that? Enjoy your brick of a phone.
　　This feature is only available for devices compatible with iOS 7. That means the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, the iPad Mini, and the iPod Touch fifth generation and up are all compatible. Everyone else will need to keep a better eye on their stuff.
　　There are a few flaws in this system, of course. Find My iPhone only works when the device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile broadband. There aren’t many deep details available on Activation Lock right now, so it’s hard to determine under what circumstances it will work – is it on automatically when iOS 7 is activated? If Find My iPhone can’t connect to the device will Activation Lock work? What if you want to sell the device yourself later on? As iOS 7 gets closer to release we hope to get the answers.
　　Apple is touting this new security feature as a theft deterrent, but how long will it take for iPhone and iPad thieves to catch on? And will they continue to steal devices and just sell them for parts – it’s not as lucrative, but better than nothing. I wonder how many will end up calling the owner in frustration and giving it back?

Apparently the man who owned it lost it over a bus

　　Apple famously missing an iphone four prototype within a bar, sparking a hunt for the people today involved with the loss and sale with the handset. Microsoft has also lost a cellular phone, one particular jogging a foreseeable future Windows Mobile phone 'Blue' version of its cell computer software. A Reddit user posted screenshots and data attained in the machine around the weekend, building curiosity in unannounced characteristics for Windows Mobile phone which involved an early prototype of the notification middle. The Verge arrived at out to the Reddit person in issue, and this will be the tale in the misplaced magic formula Windows Telephone.
　　Jeremiah Wong obtained a Lumia 920 from eBay on June 5th from the vendor located in Seattle. "The cell phone from the pictures seemed distinct," states Wong, talking solely into the Verge. "Mainly the start Display screen had the feed-back hub, also etching to the back again that read MSFT." Wong initially believed the system was a developer package due to the fact it had the unique etching along with a cracked monitor, nonetheless it was a whole lot additional essential. So important in fact that Microsoft preferred it again.

　　Immediately after posting screenshots of your program managing to the device, and accidentally revealing his cellphone amount within the course of action, Wong was contacted by Microsoft's legal group. Microsoft locked the phone remotely and requested that Wong take down his pictures from his Flickr account. "Apparently the man who owned it lost it over a bus. It was then picked up and marketed," he suggests. As opposed to pursuing Wong, Microsoft has provided to reimburse him for the price of the unit as well as ship him a replacement cell phone. "I was unbelievably astonished in the lack of intimidation and in some cases much more shocked at their lodging," claims Wong.
　　Sources familiar with Microsoft's Windows Mobile phone programs have uncovered into the Verge which the software package is early prototype perform for an approaching update codenamed Blue. Describing the software package, Wong claims it had "pretty much every thing he required," but that "a handful of matters necessary function nevertheless." The screenshots unveiled Microsoft's get the job done on the much-requested notification heart for Windows Cell phone plus some advancements to multitasking as well as the typical usability of the app check out.
　　Since the improvements are only within the prototyping period, it is not likely that all of these will probably be incorporated inside of a closing version of Home windows Phone Blue. The Verge understands this update isn't scheduled for release until eventually early following yr. Though the screenshots exhibit a notification middle as section of a separate application, it really is very likely this implementation ?a if it ships in the slightest degree ?a will improve because of the time Windows Cell phone Blue is unveiled.

Acer all-in-one will run Android

　　Less Windows, more Android. Acer is about to give us a taste of this trend, as Android PCs begin to creep onto the market.
　　The Acer DA220HQL comes with a 21.5-inch multi-touch display 1,920x1,080 display, Android 4.0, and a Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 dual-core ARM Coretex-A9 processor.
　　It also includes 1GB of memory, 8GB internal storage, front-facing camera, built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, Micro-HDMI, Micro USB 2.0, and wireless keyboard and mouse.
　　The new AIO will go for less than $400 at some resellers, though most listings put it about $425. Some are higher than $425.
　　And that's the appeal of Android. Systems sans Windows 8 can be priced lower and require less hardware.

As a outcome numerous buyers discover

　　World Pc profits plunged 14% year-on-year in the initial quarter of 2013, and far of your blame was heaped around the lukewarm reception to Windows 8. Microsoft's new operating process was intended to offer a boost for the ailing sector but has ostensibly unsuccessful to complete so.
　　Microsoft claims that it's presently shifted one hundred million Windows 8 licenses, which matches the income rate of Home windows seven, but six months into the release from the former, NetApplications studies that Home windows 8 only incorporates a three.82% share in the desktop OS market place, although Home windows seven and Home windows XP even now dominate with forty four.72% and 38.31% respectively. Back again when Home windows seven was also 6 months aged it already had an 11.94% share, NetApplications claims.
　　"Users are locating Home windows eight to supply a compromised encounter that does not excel both for a new cellular interface or inside of a vintage desktop interface," explained Jay Chou, senior investigation analyst, in accordance to Reuters. "As a outcome, numerous buyers discover a drop within the regular Laptop practical experience without the need of attaining a lot from new capabilities like contact. The end result is always that lots of individuals are anxious about upgrading to Windows 8, to say very little of company end users who're still just moving into Home windows seven."
　　Microsoft, to its credit, is getting lively measures to handle the numerous consumer grievances about Home windows 8. The tech big will debut the free Windows eight.one update (code-named "Blue") later on this year, which will permit users the option of launching the OS using a button about the bottom left-hand corner in their screens that is certainly related to your legendary 'Start' menu of prior Windows iterations.
　　Will the update alter the destiny of Home windows 8? Richard Windsor, founding father of the mobile-focused site Radio Totally free Cellular in addition to a previous tech analyst at Nomura, suggests that it's nearly irrelevant, due to the fact now that Apple has stopped getting market place share inside the Personal computer planet, Laptop customers will at some point should improve to Windows 8, presented the Microsoft hegemony of the market place. And so the Redmond, Washington-based business is not going to be far too fearful about the fate of Home windows eight at this time.
　　The proposition is of the Microsoft ecosystem, "a unified expertise across all equipment that may be integrated and straightforward to implement. But handy and pleasant is just not what customers see. Likely potential buyers are introduced with what I consult with as Blue Squares of Loss of life," he states, noting the issue went away with Home windows 7 but regrettably resurfaced with Home windows 8.
　　"When a consumer picks up a Windows Mobile phone or simply a Windows 8 product at retail they is presented with a monitor full of blue or crimson squares labeled People, Maps, New music, Online games and so on. Strike any one of those squares and nothing is uncovered. In most cases, the machine will not be even connected. Here is the equivalent of heading right into a supercar showroom with $100,000 as part of your again pocket and never currently being in a position to own a check travel," opined Windsor.
　　"Furthermore, Microsoft gives a dependable practical experience from console / Tv set via Personal computer, pill and phablet many of the way to the cellphone. These equipment are under no circumstances exhibited jointly and thus likely customers never ever comprehend this is surely an ecosystem for each and every product. How on this planet Microsoft expects user to order Home windows Phones and Windows 8, when it does not exhibit them what it can be capable of and how huge its scope is, is a mystery."
　　"As for [Original Gear Manufacturers], the most effective matter they're able to do is arrive up with machines which are innovative, inexpensive, and that provide new powerful experiences in just the Home windows 8 ecosystem. You'll be able to see this along with the increase of convertibles, ultrabooks, along with the upcoming launch of processors like Intel's Haswell, which purports to substantially increase the battery lifetime of computer systems," Haynes included. "If they don't, the OEMs will find progressively more people actively searching for to abandon Windows 8 and starting the go in the direction of tablet computing as a substitute of laptops and desktops.