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U.K. government plans to monitor online social networks
For the last three years, intelligence services in the United States and the United Kingdom have been examining the idea of keeping a close tab on communications made among members of social networks; the U.K. Home Office denies having plans for such monitoring, but critics are not convinced
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Tiny sensors form robust intruder detection system
Tel Aviv University researcher develops tiny sensors — each the size of dew drop; the sensors can be programmed to monitor sounds, metals, temperature changes, carbon monoxide emissions, vibrations, or light
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Total RFID revenue to exceed $5.6 billion in 2009
ABI Research says that “The recession has had an undeniable effect on deployment plans… but despite some project deferrals and terminations, there will be market growth, albeit fragmented”
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Swimming pool game inspires robot detection
Researchers use the Marco Polo game to solve a complex problem — how to create a system that allows robots not only to “sense” a moving target, but intercept it
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Military reliance on UAVs grows; safety, shortness of pilots an issue
The U.S. military has 167 UAVs in its arsenal in 2001; it now has 5,500; the growing demand for UAVs for both surveillance and operational missions creates safety problems and exposes shortness of trained controllers
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Critics: Commercially driven deep packet inspection (DPI) is akin to wiretapping
New technology now allows third parties to engage in deep packet inspection (DPI), a technique that makes it possible to peer inside packets of data transmitted across the Internet; data collected is then sold to other companies to allow them more targeted advertising
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Spyware big seller in China
The Chinese government no longer has a monopoly over domestic spying; sales of James Bond-like hidden surveillance tools such as cameras disguised as pens or buttons to companies and individuals soar
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Canada's next UAVs will carry bombs
The UAVs Canadian forces are using in Afghanistan will soon do more than surveillance duty; Canada has leased Heron UAVs from Israel for the purpose of using them in offensive operations
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NSA gains support for cyber security role
New Director of national Intelligence tells Congress DHS not up to task
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DARPA awards Lockheed nano-copter contract
Both the military and law enforcement are interested in tiny helicopters — 8 grams in weight and the size of a coin — for intelligence missions inside buildings; three years ago Lockheed had a development program for such a device, and it now comes back to it
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Intelligence, law enforcement face another hurdle: encrypted VoIP
The intelligence community and law enforcement already are concerned about the difficult they have eavesdropping in Skype communications; a U.K. start-up is going to make life more difficult for them by encryption VoIP communications and concealing more conversations
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EU may investigate VoIP eavesdropping
Italian anti-crime authorities have asked the EU to look into regulating VoIP communication encryption; the Italian authorities presented evidence that crime rings and prostitution networks use Skype for the specific purpose of frustrating police investigators
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New facial, gait recognition software to be integrated in CCTVs
BAE Systems and OmniPerception work on developing a gait and facial behavior recognition to be integrated into street corner CCTVs; it will make identifying known criminals easier
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New U.S. strategy begins to take shape in Pakistan
The U.S. military and elements in the Pakistani national security establishments collaborate much more closely than in the past; the strategy of General David Patreus and the new Obama administration is to recognize that Pakistan is a fractured, divided country, and to work with those elements closer to us
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Big problems with RFID deployment at Los Angeles-Long Beach ports
The first day of using RFID tags caused a reported 1,500 trucks to be turned away from the Port of Los Angeles and delays of more than an hour at the Port of Long Beach
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