When Tadesse recognized himself in one of the pictures used as bait presumably
to target people interested in Ginbot 7, he contacted Privacy International
with a request surveillance system to scan his computers for the presence of malware. With the help
of Bill Marczak of Citizen Lab, an examination of Tadesse’s computer by
Privacy International suggested that FinSpy had been active on Kersmo’s
computer in June 2012, which means that this surveillance camera intrusive form of surveillance may
have been used to monitor surveillance system Tadesse after arriving in the UK.
Once downloaded onto a target’s computer, FinSpy allows the operator of the
Trojan to have total access to the computer. This means that it was possible to
read Tadesse’s email correspondence, even when encrypted, search the documents
on his computer, monitor his web surfing, listen in on Skype calls he had with
other members of Ginbot 7’s executive committee, follow chat conversations,
and even to remotely switch on the computer’s 16 channel dvr webcam and microphone to extend
surveillance beyond the computer to what was happening around it in the privacy
of Tadesse’s home.
This is why today, Privacy International has asked the National Cyber Crime
Unit of the National Crime Agency on behalf of Tadesse to investigate the
potentially unlawful interception of Tadesse’s communications while he was in
the UK as well as the role that may have been played by a British company
called Gamma International. Gamma International has been involved in developing
and exporting the commercial intrusion kit FinFisher of which FinSpy is a part.
The effect of surveillance
Speaking with Privacy International, Tadesse said that being spied on via his
computer made him feel insecure and very uncomfortable, as if he was constantly
being watched. He hopes that sharing his experience wifi ip camera will make other vulnerable
groups such as human rights activists and journalists aware of the risk that
their computers may be compromised without them knowing as well.
As FinSpy is designed not to be noticed by the target or his anti-virus
software, Tadesse had never noticed that a Trojan had been active on his
computer. He had not only used his computer in his work as a university
lecturer and for personal communications, but also for his political
activities.
Intrusive surveillance of these activities is not only a grave violation of
Tadesse’s privacy, but also of the privacy, freedom of expression and
political rights of both him and fellow Ginbot 16channel dvr7 members he has been in contact
with in the course of his political work. The internet is crucial for the
Ethiopian diaspora to freely exercise their political rights and as such they
are especially vulnerable to becoming targets of surveillance. No one should
have to live under this constant threat, and authorities here must investigate
any illegal surveillance that may have taken place.
Post je objavljen 21.08.2014. u 09:43 sati.