[–]insanityfarm0 points
3 points
3 points
(+3|-0)
ago
(edited ago)
It's not "defending" them to point out that a sensationalist headline was demonstrably wrong. The source code is available and it's obvious to any coder that it doesn't do what was claimed (programmatically planting incriminating files on a target hard drive).
Doesn't justify anything else this code does, but come on man. Facts are important. I agree that this software is highly unethical... but we don't turn off all critical thinking just because we feel more validated by falsehoods than truth.
People need to make a big deal about this. The government paid for software that can plant files on your phone and hard drive for fucks sake.
(programmatically planting incriminating files on a target hard drive).
"Programmatically" is a straw man distraction. The HackingTeam docs advertise the ability to upload and modify hard drive contents. Finding and compressing\downloading files are all that is needed for "packaging evidence". The upload file ability is specifically designed for some asshole to install more illegal malware\spyware and can be used to plant evidence, like classified files or porn they use to frame people.
Arguments like this are why people get away with shit, nitpicking the little stuff instead of standing up and shouting "This Is Wrong, Arrest Them".
[–] arrggg 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
oh suuuuuuuuure...
Why would anyone defend these criminals? If they need evidence then they should get a damn warrant and come get the physical hard drive.
[–] insanityfarm 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
It's not "defending" them to point out that a sensationalist headline was demonstrably wrong. The source code is available and it's obvious to any coder that it doesn't do what was claimed (programmatically planting incriminating files on a target hard drive).
Doesn't justify anything else this code does, but come on man. Facts are important. I agree that this software is highly unethical... but we don't turn off all critical thinking just because we feel more validated by falsehoods than truth.
[–] iburnaga 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
People do turn off their brains when something even remotely appears to confirm their bias. Confirmation Bias is dangerous as hell.
[–] arrggg 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
People need to make a big deal about this. The government paid for software that can plant files on your phone and hard drive for fucks sake.
"Programmatically" is a straw man distraction. The HackingTeam docs advertise the ability to upload and modify hard drive contents. Finding and compressing\downloading files are all that is needed for "packaging evidence". The upload file ability is specifically designed for some asshole to install more illegal malware\spyware and can be used to plant evidence, like classified files or porn they use to frame people.
Arguments like this are why people get away with shit, nitpicking the little stuff instead of standing up and shouting "This Is Wrong, Arrest Them".