US spies hand satellite spy data to cops

FORGET CCTV, US coppers are to get data from the country's vast network of spy satellites.

According to Rupert Murdoch's big organ the Wall Street Journal, the director of national intelligence, Michael McConnell, is allowing some of the intelligence-gathering satellites in the paws of domestic security officials.

Initially the spy network will be used to improve border security, determine how best to secure critical infrastructure and help emergency responders after natural disasters.

However next year it will be the local copper's turn to play with the gear. The WSJ says it will allow them to see real-time, high-resolution images and data, which would allow them, for example, to identify smuggler staging areas, a gang safehouses, or possibly even a building being used by would-be terrorists to manufacture chemical weapons.

Of course it could also be used to tail suspects on their way to and from crime scenes and particularly shapely people sunbathing in their back yards.

More here. µ