Aug 25 2024

Telegram Messaging App Founder and CEO Arrested in France

Posted originally on the CTH on August 24, 2024 | Sundance

Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai are genuinely brilliant tech programmers, mathematicians and entrepreneurs. The Durov brothers founded the Telegram communication app in 2013. Telegram now has 950 million active users who can send messages, photos and videos, take part in chats for groups of up to 200,000 people and broadcast to unlimited audiences.

Telegram is the preferred messaging and communication app for those concerned with privacy. In my own travels, plans and purposeful interactions, I use Telegram frequently. It is the best communication tool available, and the tech interface is brilliant. However, various government agencies hate Telegram because of the privacy it provides.

Pavel and Nikolai Durov are originally Russian; their app was created and tested deep inside the surveillance state. The Russian government could not compromise it, and Pavel’s unwavering perspective on private communication has been thoroughly tested in subsequent years. Telegram is a success because Pavel Durov has proven he is trustworthy.

Pavel Durov was just arrested by the French government for refusing to compromise on the user privacy of his app.

ReclaimTheNet – […] Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested this Saturday evening, according to French media.

The incident occurred at Le Bourget Airport just as Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, disembarked from his private jet. Durov, who holds dual Franco-Russian citizenship and is 39 years old, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

The arrest was executed by members of the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport), acting on a French search warrant. This warrant, issued by the OFMIN of the national directorate of the French judicial police, was based on allegations that Telegram’s operational policies — specifically its lack of censorship and lack of cooperation with law enforcement’s censorship demands, along with features such as disposable phone numbers and cryptocurrency transactions — indirectly support illicit activities.

Emphasis below, mine!

[…] The arrest of Durov marks a major escalation in the global debate over the balance between privacy and security, and could have profound implications across multiple dimensions:

Legal Precedent: This incident could set a legal precedent for how nations handle the regulation of encrypted communication platforms. If Durov is prosecuted for the actions of users on his platform, it might lead to increased pressure on other tech companies to monitor and control user behavior, potentially compromising the commitment to user privacy.

Government Surveillance and Privacy: The case highlights the tension between government surveillance and individual privacy rights. Governments may use this incident as a justification to demand greater access to encrypted communications, arguing that it’s necessary for national security and law enforcement. This could lead to broader legal and regulatory changes that erode privacy protections in digital spaces. (read more)

In the wake of the attempted assassination of President Trump, we have already seen the professionals in DC start the process to outlaw private communication apps like Telegram. {See Here} The Intelligence Community would like to remove the ability of Americans to communicate privately without the government intercepts.

The BASELINE – The Durov brothers are exceptionally gifted. In reference to the principle of freedom and liberty that guides Pavel, he has my respect, and I understand his value system with great clarity. Pavel Durov recognized very early, much earlier than most, that information would be fulcrum challenge, and without private communication the value of information is always eroded. Privacy is critical in order for accurate information to flow. That is the value of Telegram.

Durov controls Telegram. Durov is the owner and proprietor of Telegram. Durov talks openly about the *touches* from U.S. intelligence and government officials toward him and his communication platform. He is very open about the contacts by FBI and various intel officials, and notes those conversations were always unnerving.

Elon Musk controls Twitter. Elon Musk was talking about the importance of user privacy and security at the exact same time he was secretly complying with the DOJ to give the metadata of all Donald Trump supporters from his platform. These things do not reconcile, and I refuse to pretend the conflict between Musk’s words and his actions doesn’t exist. When he first bought the platform, Elon Musk promised that Direct Messages (DM’s) on Twitter would be encrypted. After the first few stories about DHS controlling Twitter content, ie “the Twitter Files”, Musk never followed through.

“This situation [with Pavel Durov] is a litmus test for the future of digital privacy, encryption, and the role of tech companies in moderating content and cooperating with law enforcement. The global implications of how this case is handled are significant, potentially affecting not only the tech industry but also the privacy rights of individuals worldwide.”

Aug 24 2024

Interview: Surveillance State to Spark Civil Wars and the Fall of Nations

Posted originally on Aug 24, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

Aug 2 2024

War & Freedom of Speech – Then the Default

Posted originally on Aug 2, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

I had the privilege of knowing Normal Rockwell back in the 1970s. His most famous war poster, created to raise money for World War II, asserted that if we lost, we would lose our freedom of speech. It is good that Norman is no longer with us. If he were alive today, he would be appalled at the loss of our free speech under the Cancel Culture. How just mention anything negative still about COVID, and that will be blocked by YouTube – the great bastion of free speech.

This is what 2032 is all about. I have proposed the solution – the way out before this all now cascades into World War III. No government has been willing to take up a viable solution. Instead, they are all pushing for war so they can default and start all over again. As a society, we are incapable of ever learning from the mistakes of the past. It is like a human who keeps sticking their finger in the flame of a candle and expecting a different result.

I have proposed the solution for more than 10 years. But because it requires governments to stop endless borrowing, not a single one will listen. Instead, they will throw us into World War III so they can default on all the debts and reduce the population and thus their future liabilities. So here we are nearly ten years after I held that Solution Conference and we are about ready to cross the point of no return.

Apr 15 2024

Joe Allen Details Elites Wanting AI To Become Our Digital God

Posted originally on Rumble By Bannons War Room on: Apr 12, 2024 at 08:30 pm EST

Mar 14 2024

Rumble to Build Cloud Service to Fight Censorship

Posted originally on Mar 14, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

The video-sharing platform Rumble is set to launch a new cloud service, which they deem a service for the “free and open internet.” Global governments are increasingly cracking down on what videos may or may not be viewed by the public. Censorship is a major problem in every nation as our access to information becomes increasingly limited.

YouTube was the first major streaming platform to go bust. They immediately caved to pressures from the government and implemented an entire team dedicated to removing videos deemed offensive. Worse, they interfered in the last US election by adhering to Biden’s commands to remove any “disinformation” regarding Hunter, COVID, and any other relevant topic that did not fit the narrative.

The company was inspired to create an alternative after Amazon Web Services (AWS) removed Parler, a conservative media network, from its platform. That was part of the government’s plot to remove any “disinformation,” which in actuality is information they do not want the public to know, regarding the events on January 6.

Some may recall that Rumble offered Joe Rogan a place for his podcast after he was de-platformed. YouTube permanently removed all of Rogan’s interviews because he was questioning the truth. Spotify gave Rogan a platform which led to backlash from various artists who threatened to pull their music from Spotify (most retracted their threats).

“When we saw that happen, we took it upon ourselves to make sure that could never happen to a platform like Rumble,” CEO Chris Pavlovski said. “After that moment, we realized that it was very important for us to … start owning our infrastructure, and start owning our own servers.” Pavloski said they recognized the crackdown as an “existential threat” to their business and believe it is a large part of America wants something that inherits the same kind of values that they have.”

“The idea is we’re not going to cancel someone based on any political bias whatsoever. Whether they’re a religious university, or whether they’re not, we’re not going to discriminate against any customer based on political pressure or political biases, etc. That’s what I see the Parler situation had. It was due to political pressure and biases at the time,” he said.

The corporate media is so deceptive. They've been trying to brand Rumble as an echo chamber, but now we have data.

Pew Research alluded to it a year ago and now Comscore data is confirming it.

The leading political audiences on Rumble are INDEPENDENTS and NO AFFILIATION. pic.twitter.com/WDt5GJpG0T
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) November 14, 2023

I have personally had better luck with Rumble, but I hear from readers in other countries that their governments have prohibited Rumble entirely. Robert F. Kennedy’s team supports Rumble Cloud, citing that it is a good beginning to avoid partisan censorship. Rumble’s core base is not conservative, as 35% identify as Democrats, 29% as independents, and only 22% as Republicans.

There will be a fee, and while I do not know their payment strategy, free journalism will often come at a price. That is why I place the most sensitive information behind the paywall of the Socrates private blog to prevent censorship. It does not turn a profit but the fee is necessary to bypass the forces who would love to silence me.

We will see how this pans out for Rumble and other media-sharing platforms going forward. The demand, and more importantly, the need, is certainly present.

Dec 13 2023

ATTACKED! Free Speech Platform Rumble And US Critical Infrastructure Targeted in Massive Cyberattacks

Posted originally on Rumble By Kim Iversen on:Dec 12, 9:01 pm EST

Oct 28 2023

We are All Searching For an Answer

Armstrong Economics Blog/Opinion Re-Posted Oct 28, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Just for the record, there were Russians in America. Back in the U.S.S.R., there was little demand for a Chicago during the Communist Days. But Russia’s Leonid & Friends is making people smile in the U.S.A. This song, “I’ve Been Searching So Long,” was released in 1974 as part of their album “Chicago VII,” this powerful ballad delves into the theme of yearning, longing, and the search for love. However, the interpretation depends on who is listening. For some, it reflects the turmoil and loneliness they have endured in their love lives. For others, it reminds them of the universal struggle to find genuine connection and lasting love.

I think this applies to our lives in general as we search for simple, honest government and to get along with our lives and enjoy our families instead of always being manipulated by those in power regardless of their political party. “I’ve Been Searching So Long” undeniably strikes a chord with its powerful lyrics and emotive melodies that applies still to our political situation.

Oct 4 2023

This is our Future if we aren’t Careful for this is what technology and AI can do

Sep 16 2023

Are Social Justice Warriors Ready to Put Their Wallet Where There Mouth Is?

Armstrong Economics Blog/USA Current Events Re-Posted Sep 16, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Sep 16 2023

Major Tripwire – Homeland Security Publishes Guidance for Using Artificial Intelligence as Tool for Surveillance, Monitoring and Tracking of American Citizens

Posted originally on the CTH on September 15, 2023 | Sundance

You might ask, why is the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) in the business of conducting widescale surveillance, monitoring and tracking of American citizens.

Unfortunately, if you are asking that question, then you likely don’t know the first, fourth and fifth amendment to the U.S. constitution were usurped by the 2001 Patriot Act.

George W Bush and Dick Cheney created the domestic surveillance system under the auspices of DHS and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Barack Obama and Joe Biden then took that DHS surveillance system and modified the dials (Justice Dept., FBI) so the surveillance only applied to their ideological enemies.

If you have followed my outlines on this issue [Category Here], you will note exactly where this latest development falls on the continuum. The 2024 election is right around the corner. Previously I stated the artificial intelligence (AI) component to the internet surveilllance system was going to launch toward the end of this year. Well, DHS has just announced exactly that [SEE HERE].

I find it very interesting the DHS memo was issued on August 8th, but only published for the general public yesterday. July and August were when I first identified AI spider crawls were already underway. Pay very, very close attention to the two underlined words in the following paragraph:

[SOURCE pdf, Page 3]

Take out the word “improper” and the admission is, DHS uses AI to profile, target and discriminate. In the second sentence, DHS currently participates in systemic, indiscriminate and/or large-scale monitoring, surveillance, or tracking of individuals. The only thing those sentences in the paragraph say, is that DHS will not allow AI to create improper outcomes within a system they outline that already exists.

Stop and reread that last sentence as much as needed. Inasmuch as this DHS guidance is telling us the rules for Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as they use AI, they are also outlining what current processes of surveillance would be enhanced by it.

DHS’ AI task force is coordinating with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on how the department can partner with critical infrastructure organizations “on safeguarding their uses of AI and strengthening their cybersecurity practices writ large to defend against evolving threats.”

What are those critical infrastructure organizations? They include voting systems. Who or what are those evolving threats? You!

Federal News Network – […] The report also recommends DHS encourage pursing off-the-shelf commercial solutions instead of “building everything in-house.”

Mayorkas emphasized the need for DHS to adopt AI quickly, regardless of whether it’s commercially acquired or internally developed technology.

“We have got to change the procurement capabilities of a government agency to actually move quickly and nimbly, so that when we’re dealing in a very dynamic environment, we can actually move with dynamism,” Mayorkas said. “I’m not suggesting moving to a sole source model, but we just have to be quick.”

He also stressed the need for DHS to prioritize where it will use AI, rather than attempting to adopt it across every mission and use case. The report points to combatting both fentanyl and human trafficking as use cases that could be “accelerated and championed” across DHS. But it also suggests DHS “integrate AI/ML into as many areas of the DHS mission as possible.”

“We’re going to need to prioritize what aspect of our mission should we really double down on to harness AI because I worry about diluting our focus too much,” Mayorkas said. “And I really do want to demonstrate, as quickly as is responsible, how this could really be a game changer for us in advancing our mission . . . we have to pick our spots here, in my view, somewhat surgically.” (more)

Notice the emphasis on speed. Get this AI system launched into DHS surveillance, tracking and monitoring systems as quickly as possible.

Now do you see my point about how radical and fast everything is going to change? It’s the 2024 election targeting.

Remember, the Dept of Defense (DoD) will now conduct online monitoring operations, using enhanced AI to protect the U.S. internet from “disinformation” under the auspices of national security. {link}

I share this information with you so that you understand what is being constructed and what is about to be deployed on a large scale throughout the U.S. internet operating system. The U.S. internet will be different. The social media restrictions became more prevalent and noticeable in the past several years; now it is time for DHS to expand that process to the entire U.S. internet.

When I wrote about Jack’s Magic Coffee shop, people initially thought I was crazy – but the guys inside the coffee shop didn’t. Eventually DHS control over Twitter was revealed in the Twitter files. The same background is true here. The entire American online apparatus is going to change, quite soon.

I’m alone out here, but I’m not wrong.

More will follow….