Srsly Risky Biz: Why hack and leak is still a big deal
Dec 5, 2024
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The discussion highlights the relevance of hack and leak operations, especially in influencing public policy, despite their limited impact on recent elections. Climate litigation is explored, showcasing how leaked materials can shape public perception against energy companies. The evolution of hacking from mundane email access to its current implications is examined. Additionally, the podcast delves into the challenges criminals face with secure messaging amid increased police surveillance efforts.
Hack-and-leak operations remain influential in shaping public policy, with corporate entities like ExxonMobil leveraging them against activists.
The dismantling of the MATRIX encrypted messaging app exemplifies law enforcement's effectiveness in disrupting criminal communication networks amidst increasing scrutiny.
Deep dives
Corporate Hack and Leak Operations
Recent investigations have unveiled the involvement of corporate entities in hack-and-leak operations, particularly focusing on ExxonMobil's ties to private consulting firms and hack-for-hire schemes. Reports indicate that the FBI is scrutinizing the links between Exxon, a public relations consultancy, and illegal hacking operations that targeted environmental activist groups. This corporate espionage aimed to obtain information that undermined legal challenges against Exxon, drawing parallels to significant lawsuits that once faced the tobacco industry. Such incidents highlight how these tactics are still prevalent in non-political arenas, shaping public debate and legal outcomes through illicit means.
The Evolving Crime Phone Ecosystem
Law enforcement actions have been effective in disrupting criminal communication networks, notably through the dismantling of an encrypted messaging app known as Matrix, primarily used by criminals. The police managed to intercept and decipher messages for an extended period before shutting down the platform, leaving criminals scrambling for alternatives. As they explore more secure communications, criminals face a dilemma: relying on commercial services that may comply with law enforcement orders or purchasing customized encrypted solutions that still pose risks of infiltration. This ongoing battle illustrates the challenges faced by criminal organizations in maintaining secure communications amid increasing police scrutiny.
Trust and Security in Criminal Communications
The complexity of maintaining secure communications for criminal networks underscores the inherent vulnerabilities within the system. Unlike legitimate organizations where trust can be facilitated through established commercial entities, criminals often must rely on a few individuals to safeguard their communications, which raises the risk of betrayal and exposure. Historical cases, such as cartel attempts to create their own encrypted systems, demonstrate how reliance on individuals with less than secure backgrounds can lead to disastrous outcomes. This dynamic reveals that even with advanced technology, the human element remains a significant factor in the security of communications for illicit enterprises.
In this podcast Tom Uren and Adam Boileau talk about the continued importance of hack and leak operations. They didn’t really affect the recent US presidential election, but they are still a powerful tool for vested interests to influence public policy.
They also discuss the police bust of MATRIX, yet another encrypted messenger that is marketed to criminals and designed to resist police surveillance. The crimephone landscape is splintering due to the constant drumbeat of police success.