NSA Thinks of Pacemakers As A Matter of National Security

The NSA would like nothing more than to know every little detail about individual citizens. But it appears as of hacking computers is not enough, as they now want to monitor the Internet of Things. This would include pacemakers and other medical devices as well.

Pacemakers Have Nothing To Do With National Security

There is only so much the NSA can claim to collect on behalf of national security in the United States. Information gathered from medical devices, and pacemakers should never be on that list, albeit the intelligence agency feels otherwise. Albeit deputy director Richard Ledgett told the media this is only “theoretical” for the time being, it will spur a whole new privacy debate in the coming months.

It seems ludicrous to think a pacemaker would hold any valuable information to protect national security. Moreover, if the NSA can monitor these devices which determine between life and death, internet criminals and hackers will find a way in as well. This would put a whole new spin on “hitmen hired over the internet”, as a hacker could shut off a pacemaker remotely [in the worst case scenario].

At the same time, it is not such a strange train of thought. The NSA wants to keep a close eye on the Internet of Things

, as all of these internet-connected devices will create a vast treasure trove of consumer information. Then again, the is a concern as to what type of information the NSA would like to extract, and more importantly, how they would use it.

Related Post

It is not the first time the NSA is facing a lot of scrutiny over their plans either. The intelligence agency has hinted at tapping into the Internet of Things earlier this year, albeit no information was provided as to how they would go about doing so. Using these internet-connected devices for mass surveillance and location tracking should never be on the agenda to begin with.

Granted, the US National Intelligence Director James Clapper is only talking about these possibilities in hypothetical form. But at the same time, even remotely considering these things goes to show how clueless these people are. While they want access to all of this information, they would also open up a can of worms with their backdoors and inadequate software solutions.

Source: The Verge

Images credit 1,2

If you liked this article follow us on Twitter @themerklenews and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest bitcoin and altcoin price analysis and the latest cryptocurrency news.

JP Buntinx

JP Buntinx is a FinTech and Bitcoin enthusiast living in Belgium. His passion for finance and technology made him one of the world's leading freelance Bitcoin writers, and he aims to achieve the same level of respect in the FinTech sector.

Share
Published by
JP Buntinx

Recent Posts

Can This Promising Altcoin Outshine Sui and Litecoin?

As the cryptocurrency market evolves, competition intensifies among high-potential altcoins. FXGuys, a rising star in…

7 hours ago

Comparing the Best Cryptos of November 2024 with Qubetics Hitting $0.025 At Presale Next Cardano, and Binance

Cryptocurrency is buzzing this November, and for good reason! Bitcoin’s meteoric rise has brought altcoins…

7 hours ago

As Tron (TRX) and Avalanche (AVAX) Consolidate, This Deflationary Crypto Titan Just Hit Another All-Time High

Tron (TRX) and Avalanche (AVAX) are consolidating with sluggish momentum in the market. However, Rollblock,…

19 hours ago

XLM Price Prediction: Aptos and Lunex Skyrocket with Jaw-Dropping Gains

The crypto market has been on an exhilarating run. XLM price prediction has tilted to…

19 hours ago

Best Crypto to Buy Now: 6 Presales You Can’t Afford to Miss Right Now

Is Bitcoin predicted to reach new record highs, presently valued at over $100,000? For investors,…

20 hours ago

Best Meme Coins to Buy This Week: BTFD Coin Is Your Best Bet

Alright, so you’ve been scrolling through your crypto options, right? And now you’re on the…

1 day ago