Fed contractor, cell phone maker sold spy system to Iran

Washington Times ^ | April 13, 2009 | Eli Lake

[PapaBear3625]

Two European companies — a major contractor to the U.S. government and a top cell-phone equipment maker — last year installed an electronic surveillance system for Iran that human rights advocates and intelligence experts say can help Iran target dissidents.

Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), a joint venture between the Finnish cell-phone giant Nokia and German powerhouse Siemens, delivered what is known as a monitoring center to Irantelecom, Iran's state-owned telephone company.

[PapaBear3625]

The system sold to Iran is able to archive and cross-check cell phone traffic, including text messaging. This is how they're able to spot important rebels.

[PapaBear3625]

ping

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Disgusting.

I will write siemens and Nokia. let them know I will never buy another one of their products.

Just like US companies that sold to Hitler.
I can’t remember which ones.

[FreeSouthernAmerican]

Big Brother is watching you.

[wally_bert]

http://www.ranknfile-ue.org/uen_nastybiz.html

[Melchior]

I am really surprised. It is usually the French who sell such systems to dictators.

[nuconvert]

This is not news.
And Siemans has been doing business with Iran for yrs.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

thanks. great link.

[Publius6961]

Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), a joint venture between the Finnish cell-phone giant Nokia and German powerhouse Siemens,...

Not the first time the German industrial giants opt to go where the money is.

Ovens, telecommunication equipment, what's the difference?

As for the Finns, I have no explanation. Certainly they should know better.

[angkor]

http://www.google.com/search?q=siemens+nazi+germany

[ikka]

The Beijing Airport has voiceprint recognition.

So for instance, if a spy on your religious organization doesn't know who you are, but captures your voice at a church meeting, you will be flagged and captured if you talk to the customs officer.

[Spirochete]

Just like US companies that sold to Hitler. I can’t remember which ones.

IBM sold punch card machines to Nazi, used to tabulate the movement of Jewish prisoners.

[Cboldt]

-- The system sold to Iran is able to archive and cross-check cell phone traffic, including text messaging. This is how they're able to spot important rebels. --

I bet the systems the US government has and operates in the US are vastly superior at this task.

[kcvl]

Nokia

http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia/contacts

Siemens

http://www.usa.siemens.com/en/contact.php

[Man50D]

Nokia ans Siemens must be proud. I’m sure they’ll use it in their next ads.

[Costumed Vigilante]

This isn't new.

[Martel1971]

“can help Iran target dissidents”.
___________________________________________________________

Why spend the money on this system when they can just look out the window? All the dissidents they can handle are right outside the door.

[hughesm1]

Chilling read.

Considering the potential nefarious uses of the privacy-invasive data collected in the American Community Surveys plus the questions on the upcoming census; not to mention the current administration seizing control of the administration of said census, it is likely to happen again.

Be vigilant.

[Justa]

Well this sure explains my crappy Umniah cell phone service.

[meatloaf]

Not a problem if we or the Israelis can get the password to the backdoor.