3 ms·

Solving real problems is tough. Monitoring a relatively docile citizenry to ensure it doesn't create a threat to those in power is much easier, especially if y

Solving real problems is tough. Monitoring a relatively docile citizenry to ensure it doesn't create a threat to those in power is much easier, especially if you can scare them into it with the terrorism boogeyman. I'm sure there are individuals and even small groups within the NSA and FBI doing legitimate work to track down and neutralize real threats to the United States. I suspect, however, that they and their budgets are greatly overshadowed by the Keith Alexander types who see their organizations as an authoritarian playground and a stage for creating further personal private-sector opportunities. There was a time when working in such agencies, if acknowledged, was a badge of honor. Now, it should be a mark of shame.

bediger4000 11y ago
The real problem I want them to solve, that they are in a unique position to solve, is that of the super-annoying robocallers like "Anne" or "Rachel" or "Barbara", that claim to be from a credit card organization, and claim to be able to lower your credit card rate. I'm pretty sure that these companies are using hacked PBXs to do their work, but at the very least, they're spoofing caller ID information, and doing things that verge on fraud. Oh, and calling numbers on the "Do Not Call" list. The FTC seems powerless to stop Cardholder Services, or perhaps is actually in cahoots with them. None of the phone companies care, they're still getting their monthly payments for your cell phone, so they'd almost rather have "Anne" robocall you. It's up to someone outside of the telecom system, and it's captive regulatory apparatus, to stop Cardholder Services. Who better than the NSA and their domestic tools, the FBI? They can find the hacked PBXs, track the boiler rooms, and send in SWAT teams to make sure the boiler rooms are shut down, and salt is plowed into the ground there. That would be a real problem they could deal with, and not even reveal their Sekrit Teknolgie!
- MichaelGG 11y ago
  The FCC doesn't care. If they cared, they would end up killing fake callers and robodiallers very quickly. Only the most stupid and flagrant offenders get fined. The FCC just needs to start handing out fines, tracing the liability up. So if little VoipCo signs up some guy from XX and lets him set any calling number without verification or lets him make a high rate of calls, bam, fine VoipCo. It's easy and the FCC could clean it up in a couple of months. They choose not to.

bediger4000 11y ago

The real problem I want them to solve, that they are in a unique position to solve, is that of the super-annoying robocallers like "Anne" or "Rachel" or "Barbara", that claim to be from a credit card organization, and claim to be able to lower your credit card rate. I'm pretty sure that these companies are using hacked PBXs to do their work, but at the very least, they're spoofing caller ID information, and doing things that verge on fraud. Oh, and calling numbers on the "Do Not Call" list. The FTC seems powerless to stop Cardholder Services, or perhaps is actually in cahoots with them. None of the phone companies care, they're still getting their monthly payments for your cell phone, so they'd almost rather have "Anne" robocall you. It's up to someone outside of the telecom system, and it's captive regulatory apparatus, to stop Cardholder Services. Who better than the NSA and their domestic tools, the FBI? They can find the hacked PBXs, track the boiler rooms, and send in SWAT teams to make sure the boiler rooms are shut down, and salt is plowed into the ground there. That would be a real problem they could deal with, and not even reveal their Sekrit Teknolgie!

MichaelGG 11y ago
The FCC doesn't care. If they cared, they would end up killing fake callers and robodiallers very quickly. Only the most stupid and flagrant offenders get fined. The FCC just needs to start handing out fines, tracing the liability up. So if little VoipCo signs up some guy from XX and lets him set any calling number without verification or lets him make a high rate of calls, bam, fine VoipCo. It's easy and the FCC could clean it up in a couple of months. They choose not to.