We have heard of the risks of PCs, mobile phones and "intellegent" household devices equipped with a combination of camera, microphone, internet link and non-free software being turned into surveillance devices which may bring unpleasant consequences to their unsuspecting owners. The worst fears are suddenly becoming reality for the least-expected of men: Russians dealing with the recent Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast.
Russian authorities are urging citizens in Kursk, Bryansk and Belogrod to avoid dating sites and turn off security cameras connected to the web. They believe that Ukrainian agents are tapping into the Russian internet and collecting information which may help their activities in the region. Private security cameras set up by citizens are known to inadverently capture the movement of armored vehicles and military trucks. The authorities want these devices turned off. A strong message has been issued discouraging people from accessing dating sites, claiming that Ukrainian military intelligence is gathering information from them. I don't understand how a belligerent military force can collect useful information from dating sites. It should be also noted that while the authorities understand that the dating sites have been infilterated, they are not shutting them down completely. Why are the draconian measures characteristic of Putin's regime not being employed this time? --- Don't Use Dating Sites Amid Kursk Incursion, Russia Tells Border Region Residents The Moscow Times https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/08/20/dont-use-dating-sites-amid-kursk-incursion-russia-tells-border-region-residents-a86079 ... "The use of online dating services is strongly discouraged. The enemy is actively using them to gather information," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by Interfax. The warnings - issued to residents of the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions - also advised against using security cameras. "The enemy is identifying IP address ranges in our territories, remotely accessing unprotected security cameras, monitoring everything from private yards to strategic roads and highways," the Interior Ministry spokesperson said. "Unless necessary, it is better not to use security cameras." ... --- Quit dating apps, Russia tells border region citizens over security fears | CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/21/world/russia-dating-apps-border-intl/index.html --- Russians in Kursk region told not to use dating apps https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/08/20/russians-in-kursk-told-not-to-use-dating-apps/ _______________________________________________ libreplanet-discuss mailing list [email protected] https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
