FC: Dutch intelligence will scan satellite communications, break crypto

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

**********

http://www.heise.de/tp/english/inhalt/co/6731/1.html

Echelon in Holland

Jelle van Buuren   11.04.2000

Dutch intelligence agency authorized to scan satellite communications

The Dutch Intelligence Agency BVD is getting new powers. Among other
things, the powers to intercept communications will be extended. The
agency is authorized, if the government gets its way, to intercept
satellite communications at random and search the intercepted traffic
by keywords. Also, the BVD gets a new intelligence task: the
gathering of economical information. Holland goes Echelon, it seems.

The new 'Act on the intelligence and security agencies' (WIV), which
is currently debated by Dutch parliament, gives the powers of the BVD
a new legal basis. Actually, it means mainly the extension of
investigative powers. In each amendment on the original proposal, new
powers are given. For instance, in the first draft of the new Act,
the BVD got the power to intercept, record and listen into
telecommunications. In the latest amendment, from the beginning of
this year, the power to 'receive' telecommunications was added. This
means the BVD is authorized to directly pluck telecommunications, for
instance GSM-traffic, out of the air. In this way, the BVD is no
longer dependent on the willingness of telcom operators to intercept
traffic, but can create for instance their own parallel network of
receivers to intercept all GSM-traffic. Also, this prevents providers
from 'leaking' about the fine work the BVD is doing in this area.

[...]

Encryption

The new powers of the BVD are also interesting because some articles
are related to cryptography and information technology. The BVD is
authorized to break into homes and offices to bug keyboards. Besides
that, the BVD is authorized to break into computers and steal, alter
or delete information that is stored in computers. In other words,
the BVD is allowed to hack. In this way, the intelligence agency can
steal data from computers, manipulate software, corrupt passwords or
install a Trojan Horse, so access is secured and cryptography can be
bypassed.

Cryptography is a topic of special interest for the BVD. In the draft
Act, the power to undo encryption is being extended.

[...]

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