Under the anonymous official source law enforcement agencies in the U.S. not only use hacking methods to gather information, but also recruit hackers or buy from private sector tracking software.Using the latest technology, intelligence agencies can remotely activate the microphones in cell phones with Android software to record conversations without the knowledge of the suspected person. Similarly can be done remotely monitoring and recording of phone calls and information from laptops. Google and the FBI have not made official statements so far.
According to a former US officials a special group at the FBI called the Remote Operations Unit is is involved in the installation of monitoring tools on computers remotely. They install surveillance tools on computers remotely, using a document or link that loads software when the person clicks or views it The same source said, in some cases, the government may also secretly obtains physical access to the devices of suspects by installing spyware using a flash drive.
The disclosures on the use of surveillance technology came after the scandal of collecting data from the National Security Agency. Although the law enforcement hacking is targeted at very specific cases and the using is limited, these arguments are insufficient to reassure the public.
The supporters of the American Civil Liberties Union advocate the need of clear legal guidelines to ensure hacking tools aren't misused.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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