Wired: US Intelligence’s Attempt to Monitor Putin : Analysis

A tech firm with ties to the CIA and Pentagon created a surveillance tool to track Russian President Putin’s entourage using geolocation data from apps. The tool, Locomotive (later rebranded as VISR), was developed by PlanetRisk, according to a new book by Byron Tau. The company used this tool to monitor movements in Syria during a civil war and claimed to be able to track individuals near Putin. The tool was reportedly adopted by US government agencies and later replicated by other entities globally.

Analysis:
The article discusses how a tech firm called PlanetRisk, with connections to the CIA and Pentagon, developed a surveillance tool called Locomotive (later VISR) to track Russian President Putin’s entourage using geolocation data from apps. The tool was allegedly used to monitor movements during the Syrian civil war and claimed to track individuals near Putin. US government agencies purportedly adopted the tool, which was replicated by other entities worldwide.

While the article describes a potentially concerning use of surveillance technology, several factors must be considered when evaluating its credibility. Firstly, the sources cited, including a new book by Byron Tau, should be scrutinized for reliability and potential biases. Additionally, the article lacks in-depth analysis of the legality and ethical implications of such surveillance practices. It would have been valuable to include expert opinions or ethical considerations to provide a more comprehensive view.

The potential for misinformation is present in the article due to the secretive nature of surveillance technology development and its application. The political landscape, where state actors are known to engage in surveillance activities, can influence public perception of the information. The prevalence of fake news and disinformation campaigns further complicates the public’s understanding and evaluation of such reports.

In conclusion, while the article raises important questions about surveillance practices and the involvement of tech firms with government agencies, readers should approach the information critically, considering the credibility of sources, potential biases, and the broader implications of surveillance technologies on privacy and security.

Source: RT news: US intel tried to track Putin – Wired