Government

What Is the FBI’s New Domestic Spy Center and What Will It Do?

FBI Establishing a Domestic Communications Assistance Center to Facilitate the Sharing of Technology Between Law Enforcement AgenciesThe FBI has begun to launch a new spy center demurely named the Domestic Communications Assistance Center (DCAC) in Quantico, Va.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice budget for “strengthening national security,” the DCAC will “leverage existing research and development efforts of federal law enforcement, facilitate the sharing of technology between law enforcement agencies, strengthen compliance with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), and seek to build more effective relations with the communications industry.”

(Related: New details on NSA‘s ’spy center‘ and secrets from domestic eavesdropping operation ’Stellar Wind’)

CNET, which recently wrote an in-depth story where it “pieced together information about its operations,” condenses the above explanation to say that the center’s goal is to “invent technology that will let police more readily eavesdrop on Internet and wireless communications.”

In addition to the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will also be involved in the operations of the center, which CNET speculates will include everything from “trying to intercept and decode Skype conversations to building custom wiretap hardware or analyzing the gigabytes of data that a wireless provider or social network might turn over in response to a court order.”

CNET points to a couple things said by FBI officials and a recent job posting from which it gleaned some information about the center. It reports that last year, then-FBI general counsel Valerie Caproni made a passing comment that alluded to the DCAC creating “individually tailored” surveillance technology to target specific individuals or companies potentially involved in criminal activity. It also makes note of a recent job posting for the FBI, the deadline for which passed on May 2, that sought applicants with experience in “electronic surveillance standards” and “electronic surveillance solutions.”

Here’s more on some concerns reported by CNET over the center and how more information on it could soon emerge:

“The big question for me is why there isn‘t more transparency about what’s going on?” asks Jennifer Lynch, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group in San Francisco. “We should know more about the program and what the FBI is doing. Which carriers they’re working with — which carriers they’re having problems with. They’re doing the best they can to avoid being transparent.”

[...]

Eventually, the FBI may be forced to lift the cloak of secrecy that has surrounded the DCAC’s creation. On May 2, a House of Representatives committee directed the bureau to disclose “participation by other agencies and the accomplishments of the center to date” three months after the legislation is enacted.

Here’s some of what the FBI ended up sending CNET as a statement:

“[...] the NDCAC will have the functionality to leverage the research and development efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement with respect to electronic surveillance capabilities and facilitate the sharing of technology among law enforcement agencies. Technical personnel from other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will be able to obtain advice and guidance if they have difficulty in attempting to implement lawful electronic surveillance court orders.

“It is important to point out that the NDCAC will not be responsible for the actual execution of any electronic surveillance court orders and will not have any direct operational or investigative role in investigations. It will provide the technical knowledge and referrals in response to law enforcement’s requests for technical assistance.”

Check out CNET’s full article for more details that it has pieced together on the DCAC here.

[H/T Huffington Post]

Comments (39)

  • c0mm0nsense
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 10:59pm

    With the lack of interest in this and other articles like it, I have to wonder if we have lost.

    Report Post » c0mm0nsense  
  • Look4DBigPicture
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 4:42pm

    You have just crossed over into the …. Twilight Zone.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

    Report Post »  
  • supressorgrid
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 1:07pm

    And if you think you will stop this with a simple change of management? Romney will not bother to meddle in the affairs of the beuracracy.It is the faceless unelected “public servant” we are infested with that is the problem.

    Report Post »  
  • Grace1798
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:29am

    If I were an enemy to America………boy, would I love seeing that FBI and CIA are partying with many hos and drugged out with alcohol and drugs so that I (as USA’s Enemy) can go along with plans to destroy USA. How Secure do you feel folks? And Obama does what? NADA. Like I said before…..Obama is friend to our enemy and enemy to our friends.

    Report Post » Grace1798  
  • Wrabbit2000
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 6:14am

    It’s beginning to feel a lot like East Germany around here lately. Anyone else recall the jars the Stasi kept with shreds of clothing or other items on a large % of the population? It was for the dogs to use for scent if the people became runners. The jars are hard drives and the clothing is data, but I don’t see where too much else is really different. I’m sure the good folk of the GDR were not outright told the ultimate purpose it was all kept for, either.

    Report Post »  
  • wntsmallgov
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 2:34am

    Look up in the ivory tower, slower than a snail, unable to determine what is Constitutional and what is not, willing to take freedoms for nothing. It is the Dept of Homeland Security.

    Yes big brother we all think you are a joke that has alot of power.

    Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • rickroland
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:46pm

    Wow, it took a generation, roughly, for the Federal government to forget COINTELPRO and “enemy’s list”. Truly a sad state of affairs, when it comes to freedom and rights guaranteed by our Constitution and, more importantly, the elected and appointed officials that swear a solemn oath to protect and support (and defend) those same rights.

    What’s next, random “Papers please” checks?

    Report Post »  
    • Favored93
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 7:09pm

      That’s all DUI checkpoints are. Don’t get me wrong I do not want to see drunks on the roads either but do any of you really think that is the point? They check every car ask for your license, Insurance and registration. What would happen if they found a busted tail light or an out of date Ins. card? Would they just let you go or give you a ticket? You were stopped because they wanted to make sure you were not drunk/over the legal limit not for a tail light. They set up these “sobriety check points” so that they can collect revenue not keep us safe.
      What ever happened to the idea that there had to be reasonable suspicion before making a stop?
      For now I think we are not in danger of a tyrant taking control of the system we currently have in place but I do not think it will be to long before we do. This story and the one about the site in Utah I think it is makes me more then a little bit nervous.

      Report Post » Favored93  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:36am

    None of this would be possible without the Republicans voting for bills like …..

    Indefinite Military Detention Provisions
    National Defense Authorization Act
    Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act
    Federal Aviation Administration Act
    Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act
    Patriot Act

    for Obama to sign.

    Good Job GOP!!

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • PALucier
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:01pm

      Only one problem, my fact-impaired friend: these “domestic” measures against U.S. citizens are being ratchetted up by the paranoid leftist Statists – you know – the one‘s who don’t like questions or opposition to the point of sending thugs to sweep the truth under the carpet….

      Report Post »  
    • Favored93
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 7:14pm

      Agreed….the GOP has a problem… the American people are starting to see that most of them are just big government, money hungry politicians.
      I can only pray the Tea Party guys will do better and represent US like we expected the GOP to do.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:32pm

      Favored93
      Sorry to say but most of the Freshman (Tea Party) are also voting for these bills. Here is a small sample
      Allen West
      Bachmann
      Marco Rubio
      Mike Rogers
      Eric Cantor
      Paul Ryan

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
  • Mary Just
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:24am

    With millions of illegals crossing the border stealing identities, working, not paying taxes, robbing etc without any fear of arrest or deportation and only 21 comments on this corrupt agency spying on Americans. This really has become a crooked corrupt country

    More importantly though this story is further proof that Americans are total cowards

    Report Post »  
  • SeanOConnor
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:31pm

    The ultimate question is: what is the ethical way for the police to protect us from criminals/in what way is it ethical for them to use surveillance? The answer is: the police may only use surveillance with permission granted by individuals whose privacy would otherwise be violated. The ONLY exception is in an event of solid, objective proof of somebody’s freedom (i.e., someone’s life, or property) is known to be in immediate danger. Put concretely, the citizens must be vigilant and report to the police what they deem to be a threat to their freedom. The police, otherwise, have no right to spy on an individual’s private property.

    Report Post »  
    • SeanOConnor
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:35pm

      *solid, objective proof that somebody’s freedom (i.e., someone’s life, or property) is in immediate danger. -Please forgive my typos

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:39pm

      The 2nd amendments enough. Other than that I don’t require anything else of them.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Demurely named the Domestic Communications Assistance Center (DCAC)? Does this mean they can help me get an important message to my long, lost, Druncle Ted?

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • carl_in_ohio
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:34pm

    We have terrorists within our borders, we have a huge drug running problem, we have foreign hackers attacking government servers…
    the government has to do something!
    You don’t want the intrusion..
    1. secure the borders with a fence
    2. tighten immigration laws and enforce them
    3. stop the rampant drug use in America. If everyone stopped using drugs, there won’t be a market for drugs.
    4. stop the rampant crime in the US. If there wasn’t crime, then there wouldn’t be the need to try and prevent it.
    its a start…

    Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:59pm

      The government doesn’t have to do anything of the sort. If there were not prohibition there would be no drug crime. If Law enforcement was local, by elected sheriff’s and deputies, there would be less problems with abuse. If the Federal government would clean up their own act and corruption, we would be in debt. If the citizens of this nation would wake up and take responsibility for their own actions and duties as citizens, we would not be in this mess. IF you want your government to surveil every aspect of your life, move to England. Leave America to be the land of the free.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • IdunnoMrFudd
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 7:07am

      HIDDEN_LION- Exactly right.Government is the avenue of last resort when it comes to problem-solving.It’s just sad that it has to even be said. It should be instinctual.

      Report Post » IdunnoMrFudd  
    • gooeylewie
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:34am

      @HIDDEN_LION
      you are 100% right, and I’ll raise you we could completely empty our prisons saving tax payer money buy just legalizing rape and murder. If we no longer consider them crimes, then we wouldn’t have so many criminals.

      we are not a responsible enough people to have the prohibition of drugs lifted. Sorry, but that is the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • Favored93
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 7:28pm

      gooeylewie
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:34am

      @HIDDEN_LION
      you are 100% right, and I’ll raise you we could completely empty our prisons saving tax payer money buy just legalizing rape and murder. If we no longer consider them crimes, then we wouldn’t have so many criminals.
      we are not a responsible enough people to have the prohibition of drugs lifted. Sorry, but that is the truth.
      ———————————–
      That is an asinine thing to say.
      Prohibition has never worked! Our prisons are FULL of potheads??!!! REALLY?!?!?!?
      Golly whatever did we do before pot was illegal?
      Government is not and does not have our solutions it IS OUR PROBLEM!!!
      The constitution outlined the boundaries and for the last hundred years or so Government has been using it as toilet paper. There is a legitimate function of Government and making pot a federal crime is NOT one of them.
      BTW I am a born again Christian and I do not use drugs of any kind but I do think people should be allowed to make their own choices and not have our dictator in chief (whether it is Obama or any one else) decide what those choices should be.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • outrider
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 10:52am

      Other things you can do to slow down the domestic spying and the loss of privacy:

      Use cash only — for ALL out-of-pocket purchases — no exceptions. If you must buy online, organize yourselves and family/friends into small purchasing groups and use one credit card to obscure info on who purchased what.

      Ditch all store “loyalty cards” — they‘re just data mining operations and the small savings aren’t worth the loss of privacy.

      Don‘t carry ANY credit cards you don’t plan to use right away. Many now contain GPS enabled RFID tracking chips. Of course, your drivers lic does too, so ….

      Ditch or reduce the use of your cell phone, etc — the GPS feature enables your every move to be tracked.

      When your town wants to install traffic cams, RESIST! Originally they were “sold” to my community to catch those who ran red lights at dangerous intersections. Now they’re all over town.

      Refuse your doctor’s request for medical history on your blood relatives — otherwise you are compromising their privacy as well as your own. Don‘t tell your doc ANYTHING you don’t want to show up on Youtube. Medical records are now online and vulnerable to hackers.

      Stop using Google — any part of Google — gmail, searches, maps, “earth”, whatever. For searches use IXQUICK.COM. They don’t “track” you.

      Close your FACEBOOK and TWITTER accounts TODAY!

      How much of this are you willing to do? Will you choose pricacy or “convenience?”

      THEIR SPYING DE

      Report Post »  
  • DGuy
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:45pm

    Time to get newer encryption software… Imagine the headaches it will cause them if more and more people everyday start to encrypt their emails before sending them! No doubt this will quickly overwhelm their computers…

    Report Post »  
    • jhrusky
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:28pm

      If only the original PGP was still available … I wouldn’t trust it now that Symantec has ownership.

      Report Post » jhrusky  
  • MONICNE
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:13pm

    Please take 30 seconds to remember our fallen this weekend and especially our Dead, Injured, and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action members on Monday May 29th, the official “50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.”

    POW/MIA Never Forget

    Report Post » MONICNE  
    • LouC57
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:21pm

      Monicne, Amen! I’ll never forget them.

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:38pm

      There‘s a sucker in every crowd and you will take advantage of it won’t you ENCINOM? You’re probably only good for 30 seconds. Many of us will take the whole day and even a lifetime remembering.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • black9897
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:31pm

    What’s that sound? Oh, that’s our rights and freedoms being taken away.

    Report Post » black9897  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:09pm

    spy on normal Americans and conduct false flag attacks to justify it.

    Report Post » Individualism  
  • BECKONOMIST
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:06pm

    With the NDAA in place , this will help them name their targets in the US.

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:58pm

    And remember here. You will see Republican activity in this somewhere, but their is an alinsky rule to ‘hold the opposition to a higher standard”. In the construct of this nefarious project you may find activity designed to neutralize or make some kind of accountability within. Don’t jump to conclusions. We have diametrically opposed entities in Washington. If you have an enemy working with foot on the gas tactics, what do you do? Keep the enemy closer. Get your facts! Don’t jump to feaux conclusions and propaganda that will drive the endeavor from the leftwing media and the loons in Congress. they are all about deception and manufactured/mis-representative straw man tactics.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Arshloch
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:58pm

    The only difference between the police and the Gestapo is the Constitution. Now that obummer has all but ignored that ‘silly piece of paper’, the police are rapidly assuming the role of Gestapo.

    Report Post » Arshloch  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:52pm

    It can’t be TOO new. They found that 12 yr old kid fast enough last year.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:47pm

    goodie — Another stealth bureaucracy to undo in 2012. If they can‘t name it according to it’s mission- It must go…

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • JimL
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:42pm

    Technology, check
    Analysis; interpretation, decision making, hmm

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:38pm

    Chater-wise… the FBI works in the US… the CIA works outside the US. So, the FBI… is collection “information” upon those in the US!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 2:36pm

    One more step in the coming Dictatorship of Obama the first.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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