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>>"The NSA geolocation system used by JSOC is known by the code name GILGAMESH. Under the program, a specially constructed device is attached to the drone. As t

by farseer 13y ago

>>"The NSA geolocation system used by JSOC is known by the code name GILGAMESH. Under the program, a specially constructed device is attached to the drone. As the drone circles, the device locates the SIM card or handset that the military believes is used by the target." >>"The agency also equips drones and other aircraft with devices known as “virtual base-tower transceivers” – creating, in effect, a fake cell phone tower that can force a targeted person’s device to lock onto the NSA’s receiver without their knowledge." This is unsettling! I always suspected this technology was used by law enforcement but equipping killer robots for live missile guidance?!?!?

7952 13y ago
Within a few years you will probably be able to buy such a drone for $1000 on the internet. Everyone is going to want one.
- patrickk 13y ago
  We're going to enter into an interesting new phase of spying and counter-spying efforts if drones-as-faux-cell-towers are widely available. "Citizens of [major urban area]. Do not use your cell phone, rogue foreign agents are spying on us with a drone cell tower. Please wait until further notice - the bogey will be shot down shortly." Or perhaps more likely: "All employees are advised to use landlines and encrypted channels for the foreseeable future instead of mobile devices, we have reports of drone cell towers for industrial espionage." I'm exaggerating, but only slightly. There's been enough Orwellian nightmares come to fruition lately to make these projections seem sane.
  - Zigurd 13y ago
    > drones-as-faux-cell-towers are widely available I'm pretty sure you could find a VoIP-backhaul femtocell light enough to mount on a drone with enough battery to power it right now. They are used to provide cell service aboard ships.
- jessaustin 13y ago
  The logical next step: finally we'll get practical, usable EMP guns. After all, it won't be murder to knock down a spy drone, and in many situations the drone operator won't even complain since their activity may have been of questionable legality in the first place.

by farseer 13y ago

7952 13y ago

Within a few years you will probably be able to buy such a drone for $1000 on the internet. Everyone is going to want one.

patrickk 13y ago
We're going to enter into an interesting new phase of spying and counter-spying efforts if drones-as-faux-cell-towers are widely available. "Citizens of [major urban area]. Do not use your cell phone, rogue foreign agents are spying on us with a drone cell tower. Please wait until further notice - the bogey will be shot down shortly." Or perhaps more likely: "All employees are advised to use landlines and encrypted channels for the foreseeable future instead of mobile devices, we have reports of drone cell towers for industrial espionage." I'm exaggerating, but only slightly. There's been enough Orwellian nightmares come to fruition lately to make these projections seem sane.
- Zigurd 13y ago
  > drones-as-faux-cell-towers are widely available I'm pretty sure you could find a VoIP-backhaul femtocell light enough to mount on a drone with enough battery to power it right now. They are used to provide cell service aboard ships.
jessaustin 13y ago
The logical next step: finally we'll get practical, usable EMP guns. After all, it won't be murder to knock down a spy drone, and in many situations the drone operator won't even complain since their activity may have been of questionable legality in the first place.