Black bag operation

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This article is about the espionage technique. For the cryptanalysis technique, see black-bag cryptanalysis. For the fictional character, see Black Bag. For the disposable bag used to contain garbage, see black bag (container).

Black bag operations (or black bag jobs) are covert or clandestine entries into structures to obtain information for human intelligence operations.[1] This usually entails breaking and entering into denied areas. Some of the tactics, techniques and procedures associated with black bag operations are: lock picking, safe cracking, key impressions, fingerprinting, photography, electronic surveillance (including audio and video surveillance), mail manipulation (flaps and seals), forgery, and a host of other related skills. The term "black bag" refers to the little black bag in which burglars carry their tools.[2] "The CIA remains responsible for conducting these highly classified operations overseas, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) performs the exact same function inside the U.S. and its territories."[2]

Use by the FBI

In black bag operations, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents illegally entered offices of targeted individuals and organizations, and photographed information found in their records. This practice was used by the FBI from 1942 until 1967. In July 1966, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover ordered the practice discontinued.[3] The use of "black bag jobs" by the FBI was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court on 19 June 1972 in the Plamondon case, United States v. U.S. District Court, 407 U.S. 297. The FBI still carries out numerous "black bag" entry-and-search missions, in which the search is covert and the target of the investigation is not informed that the search took place. If the investigation involves a criminal matter a judicial warrant is required; in national security cases the operation must be approved by a secret body called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.[4]

Use by the CIA

The CIA has used black-bag operations to steal cryptography and other secrets from foreign government offices outside the United States. The practice dates back at least as far as 1916.[2]

Use by other governments

The British, Israeli, Russian, and other intelligence agencies are known to use black-bag operations to steal secrets. When the technique is used to obtain codes it may be called Black-bag cryptanalysis.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tallinn government surveillance cameras reveal black bag operation". Intelnews. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The CIA Code Thief Who Came in from the Cold". matthewald.com. Retrieved 3 December 2012. 
  3. ↑ Federal Bureau of Investigation - Freedom of Information Privacy Act
  4. ↑ Rood, Justin (15 June 2007). "FBI to Boost ‘Black Bag’ Search Ops". ABC News. Retrieved 3 December 2012. 
  • Peter Wright. Spy Catcher: The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer. Penguin USA, 1987. ISBN 0-670-82055-5.

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