By Cliff Montgomery – Nov. 30th, 2013
A U.S.-produced flyer released to Internet cafes has listed a number of ‘suspicious activities’ which a terrorist might employ at those businesses.
The document at times makes for interesting reading, as federal officials apparently believe that anyone who attempts to “shield the [computer] screen from view of others” or is “overly concerned about privacy” should at least be considered a ‘suspicious’ person and perhaps even a potential terrorist.
The flyer was jointly prepared by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In 2012, the government watchdog Public Intelligence first brought the document to the attention of the wider public.
The flyer was created as part of a U.S.-funded program called “Communities Against Terrorism.” The federal document informed those who frequent Internet cafes to make special note of “people who:
- Are overly concerned about privacy, attempts to shield the screen from view of others
- Always pay cash or use credit card(s) in different name(s)
- Apparently use tradecraft: lookout, blocker or someone to distract employees
- Act nervous or suspicious behavior inconsistent with activities
- Are observed switching SIM cards in cell phone or use of multiple cell phones
- Travel illogical distance to use Internet Café
The flyer then advises a person at an Internet cafe as to how he might be “part of the solution, ” by employing such actions as “gather[ing] information about individuals without drawing attention to yourself” and “identify[ing] license plates, vehicle description, names used, languages spoken, ethnicity, etc.”
But it also appears that federal officials understand that such spying activities are ripe for possible abuses. The flyer declares “it is important to remember that just because someone’s speech, actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different – it does not mean that he or she is suspicious.”
“Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate,” adds the document.
