WikiLeaks publishes massive trove of CIA spying files in 'Vault 7' release
WikiLeaks publishes massive trove of CIA spying files in
'Vault 7' release
Julian Assange claims that documents are the most
comprehensive CIA release ever and are far larger than the Snowden files
Andrew Griffin March 7, 2017
WikiLeaks has published a huge trove of what appear to be
CIA spying secrets.
The files are the most comprehensive release of US spying
files ever made public, according to Julian Assange. In all, there are 8,761
documents that account for "the entire hacking capacity of the CIA",
Mr Assange claimed in a release, and the trove is just the first of a series of
"Vault 7" leaks.
Already, the files include far more pages than the
Snowden files that exposed the vast hacking power of the NSA and other
agencies.
In publishing the documents, WikiLeaks had ensured that
the CIA had "lost control of its arsenal", he claimed. That included
a range of software and exploits that if real could allow unparalleled control
of computers around the world.
It includes software that could allow people to take
control of the most popular consumer electronics products used today, claimed
WikiLeaks.
"'Year Zero' introduces the scope and direction of
the CIA's global covert hacking program, its malware arsenal and dozens of
"zero day" weaponized exploits against a wide range of U.S. and
European company products, include Apple's iPhone, Google's Android and
Microsoft's Windows and even Samsung TVs, which are turned into covert
microphones," the organisation said in a release.
The public files don't include the cyber weapons
themselves, according to a statement. The organisation will refrain from
distributing "armed" software "until a consensus emerges on the
technical and political nature of the CIA's program and how such 'weapons'
should analyzed, disarmed and published", it said.
The files were made available by a source who intended
for them to start a conversation about whether the CIA had gained too much
power, according to the organisation.
"In a statement to WikiLeaks the source details
policy questions that they say urgently need to be debated in public, including
whether the CIA's hacking capabilities exceed its mandated powers and the
problem of public oversight of the agency," a release read. "The
source wishes to initiate a public debate about the security, creation, use,
proliferation and democratic control of cyberweapons."
It also redacts the details of some of the names,
locations and targets that are identified in the documents.
The organisation had teased the release in advance with
strange messages about the release being "Year Zero", and references
to "Vault 7". It had planned to release the files later on but that
plan was thrown off when its press conference came under cyber attack, Mr
Assange claimed.
Comments
Post a Comment