Staff Reports
Conservative journalist James O'Keefe recently raised concerns about potential hacking or surveillance after experiencing strange activity on his smartphone while trying to open an app. O'Keefe, known for his investigative work with Project Veritas, humorously captured the moment in a video, expressing a degree of paranoia and questioning whether he was being targeted.
O'Keefe's concerns are rooted in the government's history of surveilling American citizens, especially those on the conservative side. His video captioned "Am I paranoid or being hacked? Happens while I’m on the line with new whistleblowers…" reflects his understanding of the risks associated with his investigative work.
James O'Keefe Says Something Odd Happens When He's on the Phone with Whistleblowers via @WestJournalism https://t.co/4PRFFWKYEQ
— Ron Ben-Dov (@RonBenDov211357) December 8, 2023
The targeting of specific groups by government agencies adds to the broader worries about privacy. The FBI's surveillance of "traditionalist U.S. Catholics," as revealed by the Catholic Herald, and the recruitment of individuals to infiltrate Catholic churches raise questions about the extent of such surveillance.
Beyond specific groups, reports suggest that intelligence agencies like the CIA have utilized everyday devices for widespread surveillance. WikiLeaks released documents supporting claims of the CIA using smartphones and televisions for spying on both American and foreign citizens. Additionally, the alleged tracking of Americans who traveled to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, by the Biden administration contributes to growing concerns about privacy erosion.
In this context, O'Keefe's experience underscores the reality of potential surveillance and the need for vigilance, particularly for those involved in investigative journalism. The reference to "Big Brother is watching you," echoing George Orwell's warning in "1984," adds weight to the concerns about government intrusion in an era where reality sometimes surpasses fiction.
