U.S. Army says using ‘Social Networks’ is a sign of radicalism.
These are some warning signs that that you have turned into a terrorist who will soon kill your co-workers, according to the U.S. military. You’ve recently changed your “choices in entertainment.” You have “peculiar discussions.” You “complain about bias,” you’re “socially withdrawn” and you’re frustrated with “mainstream ideologies.” Your “Risk Factors for Radicalization” include “Social Networks” and “Youth.”
These are some other signs that one of your co-workers has become a terrorist, according to the U.S. military. He “shows a sudden shift from radical to ‘normal’ behavior to conceal radical behavior.” He “inquires about weapons of mass effects.” He “stores or collects mass weapons or hazardous materials.”
That was the assessment of a terrorism advisory organization inside the U.S. Army called the Asymmetric Warfare Group in 2011, acquired by Danger Room. Its concern about the warning signs of internal radicalization reflects how urgent the Army considers that threat after Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan shot and killed 13 people at Ford Hood in 2009. But its “indicators” of radicalization are vague enough to include both benign behaviors that lots of people safely exhibit and, on the other end of the spectrum, signs that someone is so obviously a terrorist they shouldn’t need to be pointed out. It’s hard to tell if the group is being politically correct or euphemistic.
Around the same time, the Asymmetric Warfare Group tried to understand a related problem that now threatens to undermine the U.S. war in Afghanistan: “insider threats” from Afghan troops who kill their U.S. mentors. In another chart, also acquired by Danger Room, an Afghan soldier or policeman ready to snap could be someone who “appears frustrated with partnered nations”; reads “questionable reading materials”; or who has “strange habits.” Admittedly, the U.S. military command isn’t sure what’s causing the insider attacks, but it’ll be difficult for an American soldier who doesn’t speak Pashto or Dari to identify “strange habits” among people from an unfamiliar culture.
American behavior is easier for Americans to understand, but the Asymmetric Warfare Group’s list of red flags from American troops is also problematic outside context. Someone who “takes suspicious or unreported travel (inside or outside the United States)” could be linking up with a terrorist group. Or he could be hooking up with a lover, or a going on a road trip with friends, or anything else. Yet that’s an example of “Actions conducted by the subject that would indicate violent or terroristic planning activities that warrant investigation.” The unreported aspect of the travel might be its most blatantly problematic feature.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/10/insider-threat/
US Army Operational Law Handbook 2012:
http://cryptome.org/dodi/operational-law-handbook-2012.pdf
Army documents: Complaining about bias, believing in government conspiracies are terrorism indicators.
A newly released document, originally published by the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group in 2011, reveals that the Army has guidelines just as insane as other government agencies that consider ordinary bodily movements and just about everything else an indicator of potential terrorist activity.
At this point, it is almost comical how many things can be considered an indicator of terrorism including bumper stickers, boisterous groups of Middle Eastern males and even educational or trade school information.
The nearly endless list of indicators just got longer with documents (PDF courtesy of Danger Room) uncovered by Danger Room which reveal that the U.S. military actually considers having “peculiar discussions” a sign that you might suddenly murder your colleagues along with “believing in government conspiracies to the point of paranoia.”
Other warning signs include recently changing your “choices in entertainment,” “complaining about bias,” being “socially withdrawn” and being frustrated with “mainstream ideologies.”
The Army claims that “Risk Factors for Radicalization” include “youth” and “social networks,” both of which are so common that one might conclude that the vast majority of young people are potential terrorists.
Of course, some of the warning signs they include are somewhat legitimate, although still hardly conclusive, including “inquiring about weapons of mass effects,” “attempting to recruit others to extremist causes,” and “storing or collecting mass weapons or hazardous materials.”
However, none of these are necessarily criminal and some of the “Actions conducted by the subject that would indicate violent or terroristic planning activities that warrant investigation” are outright laughable.
One of the more insane indicators includes “suddenly acquiring weapons,” which could mean that anyone who goes out and buys a gun could be seen as possibly planning terroristic activities.
Others are “organizing protests inspired by extremist ideology,” “establishing website/blog to display extremist views” and “visiting extremist websites/blogs.”
Another document from 2011 published by the Asymmetric Warfare Group out of Forge Meade, Maryland entitled, “Insider Threats in Partnering Environments,” attempts to identify some signs a member of a “partner” force might suddenly kill their U.S. colleagues.
According to the Army, potential “insider threats” from Afghan troops someone who “appears frustrated with partnered nations,” reads “questionable reading materials,” or who has “strange habits,” all of which are disturbingly ambiguous.
Others include “emotional vulnerability,” “personal connection to a grievance” and “conflict at work or at home, which, considered together with the previously outlined potential terrorism indicators means that there is likely not a single risk-free person in the world anymore.
Let’s not forget, the Asymmetric Warfare Group calls on people to “notify the chain of command” about all the suspicious behavior outlined above, even something as laughable as “chang[ing] type of off-duty clothing.”
They point out that a “single reportable indicator is enough to report,” meaning that soldiers should likely be reporting every single person they work with.
http://endthelie.com/2012/10/02/army-documents-complaining-about-bias-believing-in-government-conspiracies-are-terrorism-indicators/
http://www.infowars.com/u-s-army-characterizes-people-frustrated-with-mainstream-ideologies-as-terrorists/
Must Read:
U.S. Military may consider you a potential terrorist if you're young, use social media, or question “Mainstream Ideologies.”
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/10/u-s-military-may-consider-you-a-potential-terrorist-if-you-are-young-use-social-media-or-question-mainstream-ideologies.html
NYPD to monitor social media websites: NYPD plans to double the size of gang unit.
New York - The New York Police Department is planning to double the size of its gang unit to 300 detectives to combat teen violence fueled by dares and insults traded on social media.
Rather than target established street gangs involved in the drug trade, the reinforcements will focus mainly on "looser associations of younger men who identify themselves by the block they live on, or on which side of a housing development they reside," Police Commissioner Raymond said in prepared remarks.
"Their loyalty is to their friends living in a relatively small area and their rivalries are based not on narcotics trafficking or some other entrepreneurial interest, but simply on local turf," Kelly added. "In other words, 'You come in to my backyard and you get hurt. You diss my crew and you pay the price.'"
The remarks were provided in advance of Kelly's appearance Tuesday in San Diego at a gathering of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Under the new plan, the NYPD gang unit will work more closely with other divisions that monitor social media for signs of trouble.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/02/nypd-gangs-social-media/1607799/
New NYPD social media guidelines say it’s o.k. to use fake Facebook profiles to monitor citizens.
New York - If you received a new friend request recently, and it wasn’t from a foreign spammer or a Taliban official posing as a hot chick, there’s now a chance that it’s an NYPD officer. According to the New York Daily News, the NYPD recently instituted its first official guidelines for using social media to benefit investigations, and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has decided that spying on people using fake Facebook profiles is a-O.K. Consider it the online version of stop-and-frisk. Amurica!
Writes the Daily News:
The five-page memo issued by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly last week says officers involved in probes involving social media may register their aliases with the department and use a department-issued laptop whose Internet-access card can’t be traced back to the NYPD.
Never mind the fact that using aliases on Facebook is actually against the company’s terms of service. Zuck can’t realize that dream of a true and open social web if people are going by fake names, now can he? But when it comes to nabbing criminals online, Facebook’s TOS has seemingly been tossed by the wayside. To the darknet, everyone!
http://betabeat.com/2012/09/new-nypd-social-media-guidelines-say-its-okay-to-use-fake-facebook-profiles-to-monitor-citizens/
Activists warned to watch what they say as social media monitoring becomes "next big thing in law enforcement."
Political activists must watch what they say on the likes of Facebook and Twitter, sites which will become the “next big thing in law enforcement”, a leading human rights lawyer has warned.
John Cooper QC said that police are monitoring key activists online and that officers and the courts are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to social media. But, speaking to The Independent, he added that he also expected that to drive an increase in the number of criminals being brought to justice in the coming months.
"People involved in public protest should use social media to their strengths, like getting their message across. But they should not use them for things like discussing tactics. They might as well be having a tactical meeting with their opponents sitting in and listening.
"For example, if antifascist organisers were discussing their plans on social media, they can assume that a fascist organisation will be watching. Social media sites are the last place you want to post something like that," he said.
"The police are aware and are getting more aware of powers to force and compel platforms to reveal anonymous sites." He cited the case of Nicola Brookes, in which he succeeded in forcing Facebook to hand over details exposing the identity of an anonymous online bully.
Mr Cooper QC added: "activists are putting themselves at more risk. Police will be following key Twitter sites, not only those of the activists but also other interesting figures. They know how to use them to keep up with rioting and to find alleged rioters.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/activists-warned-to-watch-what-they-say-as-social-media-monitoring-becomes-next-big-thing-in-law-enforcement-8191977.html