The inventor of the mysterious TOR software has managed to elude the FBI and escape the US according to New York sources on May 17. TOR has been engineered to hide your actual location. The FBI has been focusing on hacking this software in attempts to find criminals. CNNMoney has learned that the FBI is attempting a subpoena of one of the software developers. The case is a part of an illegal hacking scheme.
The developer in question is known as Isis Agora Lovecruft. She is concerned about the FBI’s intentions to undermine the TOR system with her help. This would result in an exposure of those who are using the TOR system all around the world. This discovery could leave unsuspecting users prey to spying. Lovecruft made her way to Germany immediately after an inquiry that happened on Thanksgiving break of the previous year.
She has been plagued by the responsibility of protecting the many users of the program. “I was worried they’d ask me to do something that hurts innocent people—and prevents me from telling people it’s happening.” This was her statement in a CNNMoney exclusive interview. The FBI declined to respond to these allegations, as they are required to remain silent on possible ongoing investigations.
Lovecruft is thought by some knowledgeable FBI agents in other parts of the country to be “connected” to the hacking case in question. Her case has now been accepted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. This group is focused on preserving internet freedoms. The goal is to secure her safe return to the United States, erasing concerns about further subpoenas.
Concerns were brought to Lovecruft’s attention by the appearance of an FBI special agent card left at the family residence while they were away on vacation. Special Agent Mark W. Burnett left instructions for her to call him. Lovecruft’s mother had the foresight to all an attorney first. She chose Ben Rosenfeld, who practices in San Francisco. His specialty is technology and surveillance law.
He announced his position as Lovecruft’s lawyer in a phone call on Dec. 2 made to Agent Burnett. Lovecruft was willing to meet the agent with her attorney present. This offer was declined with threats to approach her freely. The reasons behind the desired contact were unknown at the time. The lawyer, however, did have certain clues to go on.
There was some evidence in the later part of 2015 of the FBI attempting to discover the anonymity protection of TOR. This attempt had been aggressively pursued. TOR works by bouncing computer signals throughout the global network. This accomplishes the task of hiding a physical location of the user. This program is backed by a US government-supported non-profit organization aimed at protecting free speech. The concern is that this software is also used by criminals, such as drug traffickers, hackers, and child pornographers.
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The FBI has had some past success hacking users of TOR. It solicited the service of places like Carnegie Mellon University to help with the accomplishment. Lovecruft was concerned with being pressured to contribute, as well. Her knowledge of the intricate workings of the system is well-known.
“That would undermine all the work that we do to protect human rights activists, women researching birth control…all these people need privacy. They need what TOR provides”, she said. “I would not undermine that.”
Lovecruft has seen what FBI involvement can do to people. Aaron Swartz committed suicide when presented with federal charges in the year 2013. He fell prey to the FBI’s perceived battle against hackers. Lovecruft hid out in her San Francisco apartment for a full week, fearing the worst. She was terrified to go outside at all, thinking she may be picked up by agents. She was determined to stay hidden and not answer her door to anyone.
Berlin, Germany became the next best option. She had hoped to move there at some point, anyway. She booked a round trip flight but had no intention of returning without the incident settled. Lovecruft nervously put on a pair of sunglasses and took a cab to the airport. She was unsure of her actions but felt compelled to protect herself. She was unable to say safely “goodbye” to family and friends, only alerting them once she was airborne.
Her lawyer was still contacted by another agent, FBI Special Agent Kelvin Porter based in Atlanta. He sought information on where to send a subpoena requiring her to testify in a hacking case.
The EFF is confident that Lovecruft is completely within her rights in avoiding the FBI. This has been stated by EFF member Cardozo. The FBI might have a valid reason to ask for Lovecruft’s help. However, their determination to their reasons secret has caused quite a bit of alarm.
Lovecruft is still very concerned about the possibilities and her freedom if she chooses to return to the U.S. She relayed this information on an encrypted phone call from Berlin.