Darknet Diaries Ep 38: Dark Caracal
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May 14, 2019 
In a gripping discussion, Cooper Quinton, a Senior Staff Technologist at EFF's Threat Lab, delves into the disturbing case of journalist Irina Petrushova, who faced cyber threats from the Kazakhstan government for her criticism. The conversation uncovers the chilling realities of state-sponsored espionage and the role of private hacking firms. They explore mobile malware connections and the EFF's mission to protect vulnerable populations from digital attacks, emphasizing the ongoing battle for civil liberties in an increasingly threatening cyber landscape.
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Threats against Irina Petrushova
- Irina Petrushova, editor of Respublika, faced threats for exposing Kazakhstan's government corruption.
- These included a dog's head left at her door, a skull with a threatening note, and an office firebombing, forcing her to flee.
Targeted Espionage
- The targeting of Irina with sophisticated malware suggests this wasn't common crimeware.
- This indicated a focused attempt at digital espionage rather than financial gain.
Kazakhstan's Outsourcing of Cyber Espionage
- Kazakhstan's government likely outsourced its cyber espionage operations to private companies.
- Leaked emails revealed a contract with Arcanum Global Intelligence for surveillance on a political opponent.