Exposing the web of control: How big tech and government overreach threaten American freedom and privacy. Original illustration by SOFREP.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the America we think we know is a past fantasy. Our freedoms that make this country incredible have been slow-boiled to death, like the proverbial frog in a pot.
As a former Navy SEAL, I fought for freedom and democracy when I was deployed to places like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and a lot of other places not found on Trip Advisor.
Increasingly, I see disturbing parallels between the United States and authoritarian regimes like Russia and China.
Thankfully, others in American media, like Tucker Carlson, are also starting to speak out.
Our civil liberties have been eroded in plain view, and big tech companies have been complicit in this shift toward a police state.
It’s crucial that we, as Americans, wake the hell up and demand accountability from our leaders and American corporations before it’s too late.
Pull back the drapes and what’s behind is not pretty.
Steve Jobs and the Green Badge
One of the most shocking examples of government overreach involves the late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. It’s well-documented that Jobs had a complex relationship with the U.S. government. However, many people don’t know that he was “badged up” by the CIA, a process involving a green badge indicating top-level security clearance. This relationship allowed the government to leverage Apple’s technological advancements for surveillance purposes.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the America we think we know is a past fantasy. Our freedoms that make this country incredible have been slow-boiled to death, like the proverbial frog in a pot.
As a former Navy SEAL, I fought for freedom and democracy when I was deployed to places like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and a lot of other places not found on Trip Advisor.
Increasingly, I see disturbing parallels between the United States and authoritarian regimes like Russia and China.
Thankfully, others in American media, like Tucker Carlson, are also starting to speak out.
Our civil liberties have been eroded in plain view, and big tech companies have been complicit in this shift toward a police state.
It’s crucial that we, as Americans, wake the hell up and demand accountability from our leaders and American corporations before it’s too late.
Pull back the drapes and what’s behind is not pretty.
Steve Jobs and the Green Badge
One of the most shocking examples of government overreach involves the late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. It’s well-documented that Jobs had a complex relationship with the U.S. government. However, many people don’t know that he was “badged up” by the CIA, a process involving a green badge indicating top-level security clearance. This relationship allowed the government to leverage Apple’s technological advancements for surveillance purposes.
The implications are staggering: a tech giant, whose devices, especially the iPhone, are integral to our daily lives, was deeply intertwined with the intelligence community. This cooperation between big tech and the government sets a dangerous precedent for privacy and freedom.
The Founder of Telegram and FBI & NSA Harassment
Another telling case is that of Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram. Durov created Telegram as a secure messaging app, prioritizing user privacy and encryption. However, his commitment to these principles put him in the crosshairs of the FBI and NSA.
Facing relentless harassment, Durov was forced to relocate to the UAE to escape the pressure.
Pavel spoke about how the US government tried to secretly bribe one of his software engineers to install a back door to Telegram in order to let the government, likely the NSA, spy on sensitive user communication.
This situation highlights how far the U.S. government is willing to go to undermine privacy-centric platforms, pushing their founders into exile if they don’t comply with surveillance demands.
It’s a chilling reminder that our privacy is still under siege.
Land of the free?
Ask yourself, is America stronger having pushed a tech genius like Pavel into the UAE or weaker for it?
I highly recommend listening to the Tucker Carlson interview below.
Twitter, Elon Musk, and the Discoveries at X
The recent acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk and its rebranding to X has unveiled some startling revelations about government influence over social media. Upon taking control, Musk’s team discovered extensive backchannel communications between Twitter’s previous management and various government agencies, including the Biden administration.
These communications included directives to suppress or amplify certain narratives, particularly during sensitive political periods. The discoveries also revealed that user data was being accessed by government agencies without proper oversight or transparency. This revelation shows just how deeply embedded government interests are within social media platforms, compromising the very idea of free speech in America.
Remember GITMO? It was established and designed by Americans to hold prisoners without due process on foreign grounds. Is this the America our founders imagined? Sounds more like a George Orwell novel.
Social Media Censorship and Government Collusion
Lastly, the cooperation between social media giants and government communication strategies is undeniable. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have been caught censoring content at the behest of government agencies.
Under the guise of combating misinformation, these companies have silenced dissenting voices, often without transparency or accountability. This collusion undermines the free exchange of ideas, a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
These sites are also known to heavily discriminate against military and tactical content. SOFREP’s own Instagram account, with over 200k followers, was deleted by the company without recourse or explanation in 2017.
American Freedom is a Boiling Frog
The metaphor of the boiling frog is apt here. If a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out immediately. However, if it’s placed in lukewarm water that is slowly brought to a boil, it will not perceive the danger until it’s too late. Similarly, our freedoms are being slowly eroded, and many Americans are unaware of the gravity of the situation.
It’s imperative that we understand these encroachments on our freedoms and act before it’s too late.
We need to demand transparency, hold our leaders accountable, and restore faith in our democracy. This is not just about privacy and individual rights; it’s about the very fabric of our nation.
It’s up to all of us to safeguard those freedoms from internal threats.
One of the biggest things we can do to reclaim America is to demand political term limits. This would put things back in balance and create a system that wouldn’t seek to protect itself and its power as is the case now.
Demand that your elected officials set term limits for all political offices, especially the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
You work, you serve (if you want), and you go back to working as an American.
Wake up, speak out, share this post, and reclaim our democracy before it’s too late.
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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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