Jun 1, 2018

Phone surveillance tool may have been used near White House

Cell phone users outside the Supreme Court in November. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

A Department of Homeland Security letter to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) states that the agency found "activity that appeared consistent" with cell phone surveillance tools around the D.C. area, "including locations in proximity to potentially sensitive facilities like the White House."

Why it matters: Wyden fears the potential of international espionage. "The news of a possible foreign stingray near the White House is of particular concern giving reports that the President isn’t even using a secure phone to protect his calls," he said in a statement.

The details: The letter, dated March 22, released Friday and signed by DHS cybersecurity official Christopher Krebs, says the agency ran a pilot program that placed sensors around the nation's capital to search for a surveillance tool called an IMSI catcher.

  • IMSI catchers, also called Stingrays, mimic cell phone towers that can be used for a variety of surveillance purposes. Depending on the sophistication of the IMSI catcher, surveillance can range from tracking the location of specific cell phones to redirecting phone calls.

Be smart: The letter also notes that law enforcement investigations into the detected signals found that at least some of them came from legitimate towers. It also notes that the National Protection and Programs Directorate, which ran the sensor tests, "lacks the appropriate enforcement and counterintelligence authorities" to do a full investigation into the signals it found.

Go deeper

Mike Allen
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Postal slowdown threatens election breakdown

In 24 hours, signs of a pre-election postal slowdown have moved from the shadows to the spotlight, with evidence emerging all over the country that this isn't a just a potential threat, but is happening before our eyes.

Why it matters: If you're the Trump administration, and you're in charge of the federal government, remember that a Pew poll published in April found the Postal Service was viewed favorably by 91% of Americans.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 21,280,608 — Total deaths: 767,422— Total recoveries: 13,290,879 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 5,335,398 — Total deaths: 168,903 — Total recoveries: 1,796,326 — Total tests: 65,676,624 — Map.
  3. Health: The coronavirus-connected heart ailment that could lead to sudden death in athletes — Patients grow more open with their health data during pandemic.
  4. States: New York to reopen gyms, bowling alleys, museums.
  5. Podcasts: The rise of learning pods — Special ed under pressure — Not enough laptops — The loss of learning.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Mike Allen
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

USPS pushes election officials to pay more for mail ballots

Protesters gather in Kalorama Park in D.C. today before demonstrating outside the condo of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Photo: Cheriss May/Reuters

The Postal Service has urged state election officials to pay first class for mail ballots, which Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says could nearly triple the cost.

Why it matters: Senate Democrats claim that "it has been the practice of USPS to treat all election mail as First Class mail regardless of the paid class of service."

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow