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The Intercept
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Intercept
U.S. Spy Agencies Are Getting a One-Stop Shop to Buy Your Most Sensitive Personal Data
The ever-growing market for personal data has been a boon for American spy agencies. The U.S. intelligence community is now buying up vast volumes of sensitive information that would have previously required a court order, essentially bypassing the Fourth Amendment. But the surveillance state has encountered a problem: There's simply too much data on sale from too many corporations and brokers. So the government has a plan for a one-stop shop. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is working on a system to centralize and 'streamline' the use of commercially available information, or CAI, like location data derived from mobile ads, by American spy agencies, according to contract documents reviewed by The Intercept. The data portal will include information deemed by the ODNI as highly sensitive, that which can be 'misused to cause substantial harm, embarrassment, and inconvenience to U.S. persons.' The documents state spy agencies will use the web portal not just to search through reams of private data, but also run them through artificial intelligence tools for further analysis. Rather than each agency purchasing CAI individually, as has been the case until now, the 'Intelligence Community Data Consortium' will provide a single convenient web-based storefront for searching and accessing this data, along with a 'data marketplace' for purchasing 'the best data at the best price,' faster than ever before, according to the documents. It will be designed for the 18 different federal agencies and offices that make up the U.S. intelligence community, including the National Security Agency, CIA, FBI Intelligence Branch, and Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis — though one document suggests the portal will also be used by agencies not directly related to intelligence or defense. 'In practice, the Data Consortium would provide a one-stop shop for agencies to cheaply purchase access to vast amounts of Americans' sensitive information from commercial entities, sidestepping constitutional and statutory privacy protections,' said Emile Ayoub, a lawyer with the Brennan Center's liberty and national security program. 'ODNI is working to streamline a number of inefficient processes, including duplicative contracts to access existing data, and ensuring Americans civil liberties and Fourth Amendment rights are upheld,' ODNI spokesperson Olivia Coleman said in a statement to The Intercept. Coleman did not answer when asked if the new platform would sell access to data on U.S. citizens, or how it would make use of artificial intelligence. Spy agencies and military intelligence offices have for years freely purchased sensitive personal information rather than obtain it by dint of a judge's sign-off. Thanks largely to unscrupulous advertisers and app-makers working in a regulatory vacuum, it's trivial to procure extremely sensitive information about virtually anyone with an online presence. Smartphones in particular leave behind immense plumes of data, including detailed records of your movement that can be bought and sold by anyone with an interest. The ODNI has previously defined 'sensitive' CAI as information 'not widely known about an individual that could be used to cause harm to the person's reputation, emotional well-being, or physical safety.' Procurement documents reviewed by The Intercept make clear the project is designed to provide access to this highest 'sensitive' tier of CAI. The documents provide a glimpse at some of the many types of CAI available, including 'information addressing economic security, supply chain, critical infrastructure protection, great power competition, agricultural data, industrial data, sentiment analysis, and video analytic services.' While the proliferation of data that can reveal intimate details about virtually anyone has alarmed civil libertarians, privacy advocates, and certain members of Congress, the intelligence community sees another problem: There's too much data to keep organized, and the disorganized process of buying it is wasting money. To address this overabundance, the ODNI is seeking private sector vendors to build and manage a new 'commercial data consortium that unifies commercial data acquisition then enables IC users to access and interact with this commercial data in one place,' according to one procurement document obtained by The Intercept. The ODNI says the platform, the 'Intelligence Community (IC) Data Consortium (ICDC),' will help correct the currently 'fragmented and decentralized' purchase of commercial data like smartphone location pings, real estate records, biometric data, and social media content. The document laments how often various spy agencies are buying the same data without realizing it. The ODNI says this new platform, which will live at will 'help streamline access to CAI for the entire IC and make it available to mission users in a more cohesive, efficient, and cost-effective manner by avoiding duplicative purchases, preventing sunk costs from unused licenses, and reducing overall data storage and compute costs,' while also incorporating 'civil liberties and privacy best practices.' 'The IC is still adhering to the 'just grab all of it, we'll find something to do with it' mentality.' While the project's nod to civil liberties might come as some relief to privacy advocates, the project also represents the extent to which the use of this inherently controversial form of surveillance is here to stay. 'Clearly the IC is still adhering to the 'just grab all of it, we'll find something to do with it' mentality rather than being remotely thoughtful about only collecting data it needs or has a specific envisioned use for,' said Calli Schroeder, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Project. Once the website is up and running, the procurement materials say the portal will eventually allow users to analyze the data using large language models, AI-based text tools prone to major factual errors and fabrications. The portal will also facilitate 'sentiment analysis,' an often pseudoscientific endeavor purporting to discern one's opinion about a given topic using implicit signals in their behavior, movement, or speech. Such analysis is a 'huge cause for concern' according to Schroeder. 'It means the intelligence community is still, to at least some degree, buying into the false promise of a constantly and continuously debunked practice,' she said. 'Let me be clear: Sentiment analysis not only does not work, it cannot work. Its only consistent success has been in perpetuating harmful discrimination (of gender, culture, race, and neurodivergence, among others).' Whether for sentiment analysis or some other goal, using CAI data sets to query an AI crystal ball poses serious risks, said Ayoub. If such analysis worked as billed, 'AI tools make it easier to extract, re-identify, and infer sensitive information about people's identities, locations, ideologies, and habits — amplifying risks to Americans' privacy and freedoms of speech and association,' he said. On top of that, 'These tools are a black box with little insight into training data, metric, or reliability of outcomes. The IC's use of these tools typically comes with high risk, questionable track records, and little accountability, especially now that AI policy safeguards were rescinded early in this administration.' In 2023, the ODNI declassified a 37-page report detailing the vastly expanding use of such CAI data by the U.S. intelligence community, and the threat this poses to the millions of Americans whose lives are cataloged, packaged, and sold by a galaxy of unregulated data brokers. The report, drafted for then-director of national intelligence Avril Haines, included a dire warning to the public: 'Today, in a way that far fewer Americans seem to understand, and even fewer of them can avoid, CAI includes information on nearly everyone that is of a type and level of sensitivity that historically could have been obtained, if at all, only through targeted (and predicated) collection, and that could be used to cause harm to an individual's reputation, emotional well-being, or physical safety.' The extent to which CAI has commodified spy powers previously attainable only by well-resourced governments cannot be overstated: In 2021, for instance, The Intercept reported the existence of Anomaly Six, a startup that buys geolocational data leaked from smartphones apps. During an Anomaly Six presentation, the company demonstrated its ability to track not only the Chinese navy through the phones of its sailors, but also follow CIA and NSA employees as they commuted to and from work. The ICDC project reflects a fundamental dissonance within the intelligence community, which acknowledges that CAI is a major threat to the public while refusing to cease buying it. 'The government would never have been permitted to compel billions of people to carry location tracking devices on their persons at all times, to log and track most of their social interactions, or to keep flawless records of all their reading habits,' the ODNI wrote in its 2022 report. While conceding 'unfettered access to CAI increases its power in ways that may exceed our constitutional traditions or other societal expectations,' the report says, 'the IC cannot willingly blind itself to this information.' In 2024, following the declassified report and the alarm it generated, the ODNI put forth a set of CAI usage rules purporting to establish guardrails against privacy violations and other abuses. The framework earned praise from some corners for requiring the intelligence community to assess the origin and sensitivity of CAI before using it, and for placing more rigorous requirements on agencies that wish to use the most intimate forms of private data. But critics were quick to point out that the ODNI's rules, which enshrined the intelligence community's 'flexibility to experiment' with CAI, amounted to more self-regulation from a part of the government with a poor track record of self-regulating. While sensitive CAI comes with more rules — like keeping records of its use, protecting its storage, and some disclosure requirements — these guidelines offer great deal latitude to the intelligence community. The rule about creating a paper trail pertaining to sensitive CAI use, for example, is mandated only 'to the extent practicable and consistent with the need to protect intelligence sources and methods,' and can be ignored entirely in 'exigent circumstances.' In other words, it's not really a requirement at all. Ayoub told The Intercept he worries the ICDC plan will only entrench this self-policing approach. The documents note that vendors would be tasked to some extent with determining whether the data they sell is indeed sensitive, and therefore subject to stricter privacy safeguards, rather than a third party. 'Relying on private vendors to determine whether CAI is considered sensitive may increase the risk that the IC purchases known categories of sensitive information without sufficient safeguards for privacy and civil liberties or the warrant, court order, or subpoena they would otherwise need to obtain,' he said. The portal idea appears to have started under the Biden administration, when it was known as the 'Data Co-Op.' It now looks like it will go live during a Trump administration. Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency is already working on building and streamlining access to other large repositories of perilously sensitive information. In March, the Washington Post reported that DOGE workers intent on breaking down 'information silos' across the federal government were trying to 'unify systems into one central hub aims to advance multiple Trump administration priorities, including finding and deporting undocumented immigrants.' The documents note that the portal will also be accessible to so-called 'non-Title 50' agencies outside of the national defense and intelligence apparatus. Ayoub argued the intelligence community can't provide access to its upcoming CAI portal without 'raising the risk that agencies like DHS's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) would access the CAI database to identify and target noncitizens such as student protestors based on their search or browsing histories and location information.' While the ODNI has acknowledged the importance of transparency, usernames for the portal will not include the name of the analyst's agency, 'thus obscuring any specific participation from individual participants,' according to the project documents. 'The irony is not lost on me that they are making efforts to protect individuals within the IC from being identified regarding their participation in this project but have no qualms about vacuuming up the personal data of Americans against their wishes and knowledge,' said Schroeder. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a longtime critic of the Fourth Amendment end run posed by CAI, expressed concern to The Intercept over how the portal will ultimately be used. 'Policies are one thing, but I'm concerned about what the government is actually doing with data about Americans that it buys from data brokers,' he said in a statement. 'All indications from news reports and Trump administration officials are that Americans should be extremely worried about how this administration may be using commercial data.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tulsi Gabbard's ‘Easily Cracked' Password Habits Revealed
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly used the same weak password for multiple online accounts over the course of several years. A review of leaked records from WIRED revealed that Gabbard used an 'easily cracked' password across multiple email addresses and online accounts around the time she served in Congress between 2013 to 2021. In their report published Tuesday, WIRED wrote they were able to review Gabbard's passwords using 'databases of material leaked online created by the open-source intelligence firms District4Labs and Constella Intelligence.' Their review found no indication that she used the password for government accounts, but found that it was used for several personal accounts on multiple occasions instead. Gabbard reportedly used the same, The outlet reports that a password used for an email account tied to Gabbard's personal website, was used as a password for her Gmail account as well. Records of this password date to 2019. That same password was apparently also used for Dropbox and LinkedIn accounts associated with the email address for her personal website, with records dating to 2012. 2018 records also show the password being used on a MyFitnessPal account tied to a email address that was also used for HauteLook, a since-defunct e-commerce site. These records have apparently been available online for years and are easily accessible through commercial databases, according to WIRED. A spokesperson for Gabbard, Olivia Coleman, told the Daily Beast in a statement: 'This is a non-story. As I told WIRED last week, these data breaches happened nearly a decade ago, and the passwords have changed countless times since.' The national intelligence director's seeming password misstep is not her first blunder since assuming the role. The former representative was also part of a Signal group chat leak in March, where The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a text chain discussing military operations in Yemen. Gabbard, along with other top Trump officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were members of the group chat.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bolton finance firm celebrates first year with 'strong results and big ambitions'
A Bolton-based commercial finance firm is celebrating its first birthday with "strong results and big ambitions". Since launching on May 1, 2024, has grown to a 10-person team, moved into new office space, and supported more than 100 UK businesses with what it describes as "access to flexible, fast, and transparent funding". Eighteen per cent of the firm's customers are said to have returned for further support within the first year. READ MORE: Bolton Ironman 70.3: Road closures announced in full Former Argos building in Bolton town centre sold Olivia Coleman to appear on Warburtons new TV advert CEO and founder, Lee Schofield, said: "Starting and building this business in Bolton was important to me. "This town has shaped who I am, and I wanted to build something here that could grow, create jobs, and genuinely support UK business owners. "I'm proud of what we've achieved in year one, but even more excited about what's ahead. "We're building a modern, scalable finance business right here in Bolton - one that delivers real outcomes for our customers and opportunities for our team." The company plans to expand its team, deepen relationships with lenders, and continue investing in its platform - with Bolton remaining "at the heart of its future plans."
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Telegraph
How to spend your weekend in West Sussex, Britain's sunniest county
West Sussex is a county of contrasts, blending lush green landscapes and beautiful beaches with bustling towns and postcard-worthy villages. With the South Downs National Park at its heart and the picturesque shores of the Witterings, Selsey and Littlehampton at its feet, it offers the perfect retreat for bucolic downtime or lazy beach days. The county is also home to vibrant, tourist-friendly towns like Chichester, Crawley and the increasingly desirable East Grinstead, all with enticing restaurants, art galleries and historic landmarks. Proudly known as Britain's sunniest county, West Sussex is easily accessible from London by train or car. History enthusiasts will find much to admire in its stately homes, including Parnham House and Goodwood House, while wine lovers can indulge in tastings at local vineyards such as Nutbourne and Tinwood, showcasing some of England's finest vintages. West Sussex is emerging as one of the UK's most exciting destinations for foodies with offerings such as Michelin-starred dining in a manor house using homegrown ingredients and afternoon tea in a converted railway station. For more on West Sussex, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, attractions and bars. In this guide: How to spend your weekend Day one: morning The pretty market town of Arundel is home to a medieval castle with impressive gardens and museum, both in its historic town centre, and a whopping 206 listed buildings (in the county only Chichester has more). You may recognise the place from the film Wicked Little Letters, with Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley, which was filmed here (despite the story being based in nearby Littlehampton). You could easily spend a whole day in Arundel Castle, which dates back to 1067, as friendly and helpful expert guides walk you through its interior answering questions about the decoration and art collection. The castle has an excellent café, too, serving freshly made sandwiches, quiches and cakes if you want lunch before exploring the town. (The café's kitchen used to be the servants' hall.) Afternoon Next to the castle is Spencer Swaffer Antiques – a beautiful Aladdin's cave of brilliantly sourced antiques, many of which wouldn't be out of place at the Sir John Soane's Museum. Also nearby, you can stock up on award-winning sparkling wines (or enjoy a tasting) at Digby Fine Wines' Tasting Room – the first tasting room on a UK high street. If you're visiting on the 3rd Saturday of the month you can stock up local fruit, veg and seafood at Arundel Farmers Market. Arundel Wetland Centre (just under a mile from the castle) is the perfect place for all the family to get up close and personal with feathered friends and a snack at its Water Edge Café. Six miles away from the centre is Amberley Museum, which celebrates Sussex's industrial past with working steam trains and craft demonstrations. It also has a changing calendar of events including classic car shows and Halloween specials. Evening End your day with dinner at The Pig Hotel. Part of the Pig Group, this West Sussex outpost is housed in an 18th-century, Grade II-listed Georgian house. If you're driving, stop off for a quick stroll through the beautiful South Downs en route. Day two: morning Chichester is the only city in West Sussex – the Romans called it Chichester Noviomagus, which translates as new marketplace. The city is home to an impressive cathedral and Roman ruins including a bath house and amphitheatre – one of only a handful of Roman amphitheatres discovered in Britain – that is now a park. Chichester Cathedral was dubbed 'the most typical English Cathedral' by critic Ian Nairn and also has impressive cloisters – the grassy area in the middle is charmingly named 'Paradise'. Chichester is the last cathedral in the UK to grant free access to visitors. The food at the Cloisters Kitchen & Garden is, pun intended, heavenly, with an emphasis on local ingredients in its hearty breakfast and lunch menus and homemade cakes and bakes. There's a great kids menu, too. Afternoon and evening Get an art fix at Pallant House Gallery which focusses on British art with a changing calendar of exhibitions as well as an impressive permanent collection of works from 1900 to present day, before stepping back in time at the Novium Museum. Built on top of the remains of a Roman bath house it tells the story of the city with interactive displays and also has great city views from its upper floors. If you're still hungry for all things Roman, Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens is a good stop off on the way to the coast. The largest Roman home in Britain, it offers a fascinating insight into how the 1 per cent lived 1,600 years ago. No trip to West Sussex would be complete without visiting the coast – if cycling is your bag the Salterns Way runs from the centre of Chichester to the sand dunes at West Wittering – much of the route and follows car-free paths. For something a little more dramatic head to the historic village of Bosham, on the edge of Chichester Harbour. The village is often described as one of the most photogenic places on the south coast and legend has it that King Canute tried to control the sea from here. The king's daughter is rumoured to be buried in Bosham church having drowned in a river. Be warned, though, that Bosham Quay regularly floods as the tide comes in so quickly so be careful where you park. Parking is less 'exciting' at nearby Littlehampton, home to two award-winning beaches and the pretty river Arun, the beachfront Harbour Park amusement park (which opened in 1932) and fun shops like Pier Road Coffee and Art, which champions local talent. Enjoy sundowners at The Beach Littlehampton where water sport lovers can order a side order of windsurfing, kitesurfing or paddle boarding to go with their excellent stone-baked pizzas. Right on the water, the restaurant is open all year round. When to go West Sussex is 'open' year round and is, of course, Great British weather dependent. The majority of visitors tend to arrive during the warmer summer months – the 'sunniest county in the UK' notches up 253 hours of sun in July according to the Met Office. Antique lovers flock to Ardingly for its July antiques fair while petrol heads make for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, also in July. Arundel Museum runs an Artisan Christmas Fayre (in November) and Horsham celebrates the festive period with its own Piries Place Christmas Vegan Market (also in November). Where to stay Luxury living: Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa Lord it up in this pleasing cluster of antique-filled medieval mansions that belie a 20th-century origin. Join Kevin the peacock and friends for a stroll in the grounds then relax in the smart modern spa and pools set beside the sea near Littlehampton. Boutique beauty: The Pig This outpost of The Pig is located in the green folds of the sylvan South Downs. It's English countryside incarnate, and a classic, classy spot for a rural weekend getaway. Budget bolthole: The Welldiggers Arms This 300-year-old roadside inn and top-notch gastropub overlooks the rolling hills of West Sussex's South Downs National Park. With its traditional country bar featuring tankards dangling from the ceiling, locals drinking real ale and muddy dogs sprawled by the roaring fire, bring your wellies and your pooch here for a wholesome weekend in the country. Read our full review here. Know before you go Experience West Sussex is a mine of visitor information, hosted by West Sussex County Council. You can learn more about Arundel at Visit Arundel. The Tourist Information Centre in Chichester is within the Novium Museum. It can also be reached on 01243 775888. You can also find tourism information about Chichester online at The Great Sussex Way. How to get there and how to get around There are regular trains from London to Arundel, Amberley, Chichester, Fishbourne and Littlehampton, though West Sussex is best explored by car, particularly if you plan to take in the South Downs. There are, however, approximately nine trains a day between Arundel and Chichester. International visitors can enjoy access to West Sussex from nearby Gatwick Airport. Enterprise Car Hire has offices at the airport as well as in Bognor Regis. Steven Short split his time between London and Sussex for a decade before moving to Hastings full time in 2021. He loves coastal walks with his dog and exploring Sussex's ever-evolving food scene.
