from Instagram: http://instagram.com/p/uY9WPaOM31/
As the NSA scoops up phone records and other forms of electronic evidence while investigating national security and terrorism leads, they turn over “tips” to a division of the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) known as the Special Operations Division (“SOD”). FISA surveillance was originally supposed to be used only in certain specific, authorized national security investigations, but information sharing rules implemented after 9/11 allows the NSA to hand over information to traditional domestic law-enforcement agencies, without any connection to terrorism or national security investigations.
But instead of being truthful with criminal defendants, judges, and even prosecutors about where the information came from, DEA agents are reportedly obscuring the source of these tips. For example, a law enforcement agent could receive a tip from SOD—which SOD, in turn, got from the NSA—to look for a specific car at a certain place. But instead of relying solely on that tip, the agent would be instructed to find his or her own reason to stop and search the car. Agents are directed to keep SOD under wraps and not mention it in “investigative reports, affidavits, discussions with prosecutors and courtroom testimony,” according to Reuters.
This is probably one example how this works: How Did the Feds Identity Dread Pirate Roberts?
(Picture CC by Jef Pearlman)
(via KTH)
Red Bull Energy Drink Class Action Settlement:
A $13 million settlement has been reached in two consumer class action lawsuits that allege Red Bull North America Inc. misrepresents the functionality and safety of its Red Bull energy drinks.
The Red Bull class action lawsuit took issue with the beverage maker’s promises that “Red Bull gives you wings” and that it “vitalizes body and mind” due to its unique mixture of ingredients that could supposedly improve a consumer’s mental and physiological performance. However, the plaintiffs allege Red Bull is no more effective than a cup of coffee or a caffeine pill.
(…)
Class Members who submit valid Claim Forms may choose from one of two benefits:
(1) A cash reimbursement (in the form of a check) of $10; or
(2) Free Red Bull products with a retail value of approximately $15.
(…)
Proof of Purchase: None required. However, Class Members must attest under penalty of perjury that they are a member of the Settlement Class.
(Picture CC Damien du Toit, via)
Codename “Eikonal” (tagesschau.de):
Es war eine nie dagewesene Kooperation zweier Geheimdienste: Der Bundesnachrichtendienst und der US-Geheimdienst NSA zapften gemeinsam den Internet-Knotenpunkt in Frankfurt am Main an. So gingen auch Daten deutscher Staatsbürger an die NSA, obwohl diese Praxis gegen Grundrechte verstoßen haben könnte.
(Bild CC János Balázs)
“We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it.”
