SWATters Target Dozens of Journalists

Post by wongarsu » Wed, Jul 24, 2019, 9:46 PM UTC

jonny_eh wrote: post #31

donatj wrote: post #24

The heart of the problem is that SWAT-ing is possible. You shouldn't be able to make an anonymous phone call and have the police bust down someone else's door guns drawn. An unverified phone call alone should not amount to probable cause. That's not civilization.

Then what do you propose, people give their names? But then they'll give fake names. So ask for proof of identity? Is that even possible, let alone expedient in an emergency? The solution is to take these reports seriously, but with a grain of salt. i.e. don't just shoot a guy that walks out of his house while confused.

Post by tptacek » Wed, Jul 24, 2019, 9:47 PM UTC

mcantelon wrote: post #45

tptacek wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that's the definition of "dox" you're using, that doesn't appear to be what Krebs did. He posted names, and a public LinkedIn profile.

Exposing the real names of anonymous/pseudoanonymous people, regardless of whether it's hard to find out (given that many people suck at opsec), is probably the most common scenario people refer to when using the word "doxing". "researching and broadcasting private or identifying information (especially personally identifying information) about an individual or organization" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doxing

Post by stcredzero » Wed, Jul 24, 2019, 9:48 PM UTC

tomlock wrote: post #39

mcantelon wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And a left wing extremist problem, given the recent Antifa beating of journalist Andy Ngo and, fortunately unsuccessful, attempt by Antifa to ignite a large propane tank next to a migrant center.

Right wing extremists have killed more people in the last ten years than any other political group.

Post by davidw » Wed, Jul 24, 2019, 9:51 PM UTC

wongarsu wrote: post #51

jonny_eh wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then what do you propose, people give their names? But then they'll give fake names. So ask for proof of identity? Is that even possible, let alone expedient in an emergency? The solution is to take these reports seriously, but with a grain of salt. i.e. don't just shoot a guy that walks out of his house while confused.

Here in Germany you can anonymously call the police (using a pay phone or whatever), but it's not an issue because the police use the door bell and politely take a look instead of busting the door open and storming the place with drawn guns. I understand police in the US has to adapt to the assumption that everyone has a gun, but even when you suspect a hostage situation what's the problem with politely knocking and…

Post by mcny » Wed, Jul 24, 2019, 9:54 PM UTC

donatj wrote: post #49

penagwin wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To play devils advocate a little - If I'm a 911 operator and the person calling says "They have gun next door - there's shouting, I'm really scared WHAT DO I DO?!" What do we do? Turn them down? Ask for proof? From the police perspective - they're entering a potentially dangerous environment, which means gun drawn until the environment is cleared. To your point though - the fact that the swatting has resulted in inno…

Drive by, see if there's any other evidence of any of this, leave if there isn't - because an unverified phone call alone really shouldn't count as probable cause?