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Old 09-26-2014, 07:50 AM   #1
vicky_molokh
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Default Espionage in 2100?

Greetings, all!

Transhuman Space seems to be envisioned with at least some expectation that some of the campaigns will be spy-themed. Which got me thinking: what is espionage like in 2100? There are surely many, many news things, but then again some things remain throughout the years.

Much of espionage work is apparently still very personal (BD67), with stuff like specialised spy-model bioroids (Hamlin, BD121) doing the footwork and focusing on personal interactions (FW135), as opposed to the highly-technical and remote (BD131).

There's some stuff that may be considered weird by our standards, such as xoxnapping (TS106) or gathering of data for the creation of an Eidolon (DB120).

There are of course many gadgets that even James Bond would envy, but used in way, way subtler . . . ways. Such as spysats capable of changing their orbits on demand (HF8), surveillance dust (TS154), strategically unbreakable codes and non-interceptable (without warning) communications (TS148), or use of HyMRI (TS163) instead of polygraphs to ensure loyalty and non-subversion of individuals.

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
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Last edited by vicky_molokh; 09-27-2014 at 04:59 AM.
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Old 09-26-2014, 12:44 PM   #2
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

Something that is getting established now, and seems to be going strong in 2100: targeted malware.
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Old 09-27-2014, 05:24 AM   #3
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

The U.S. already allows retroactive search warrants when "time is of the essence". It's only news because many government agencies don't even do that.
I hope THS backs away a bit from trashing what remains of the constitution. But rubber stamping warrants could be near instantaneous with 24/7 A.I.s with judicial powers...
No need for Law And Order's finding an amenable judge having dinner at home.

And almost by definition espionage is illegal even when done by governments.
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Old 09-27-2014, 05:32 AM   #4
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

The nature of the internet does make everything ultimately international. How would nations deal with that in THS assuming we don't continue along the Orwellian path?
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Old 09-27-2014, 11:45 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Flyndaran View Post
The nature of the internet does make everything ultimately international. How would nations deal with that in THS assuming we don't continue along the Orwellian path?
I have the impression that its just not that big an issue because encryption managed to beat decryption.
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Old 09-27-2014, 03:45 PM   #6
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

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I have the impression that its just not that big an issue because encryption managed to beat decryption.
Or that's just what they want you to believe.

Even if not true, the fact that some people may believe it so leads to similar actions.

Heck, right now, governments often require software that allows them free access to otherwise secure programs and devices. Not always creepy clandestine stuff either. Printers have sub-programs that automatically stop any attempt to print currency, for example.
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Old 09-27-2014, 04:56 PM   #7
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

Well you don't need to copy money well enough to fool Secret Service experts, only enough to fool the local grocery store checker.

But I just used that example as to how ubiquitous hidden programs are now, let alone in THS.
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Old 09-27-2014, 05:16 PM   #8
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

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Originally Posted by vicky_molokh View Post
Thoughts?
Do you know the series Person of Interest? Might be a bit of an inspiration.
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Old 09-27-2014, 06:06 PM   #9
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

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Originally Posted by Flyndaran View Post
Well you don't need to copy money well enough to fool Secret Service experts, only enough to fool the local grocery store checker.

But I just used that example as to how ubiquitous hidden programs are now, let alone in THS.
It's a bit schitzo inthe setting, but you can get clean, or rather clean-able, designs from the TSA web if you are willing to accept 10 year old technology.
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Old 09-27-2014, 10:54 PM   #10
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Default Re: Espionage in 2100?

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The nature of the internet does make everything ultimately international. How would nations deal with that in THS assuming we don't continue along the Orwellian path?
They have largely conceded to encryption, and volume is considered too great to completely monitor in FW, but if you become a person of interest they can probably see what they really really want some other way.
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