The company has been named in recent (August 2012) WikiLeaks releases as the source of software that facilitates intelligence-gathering on U.S. and global citizens, using surveillance technology, incident reports from citizens, and data correlation for local police and law enforcement agencies.
Details about the program emerged as emails from intelligence company Stratfor had been hacked at the end of 2011. According to a report of Russia Today,[2] a network of surveillance cameras is installed "in most major American cities at selected high value targets (HVTs) and has appeared abroad as well." A software program analyzes the images to detect "suspicious" behavior. The program is reported to be a joint effort of Stratfor and Abraxas Corp (VA)but following an ownership change Abraxas has no involvement in the technology venture. The report also refers to a 2006 article, in which then Abraxas Vice President R. Daniel Botsch outlined Trapwire's capabilities:[3]
In one leaked email, Stratfor vice president Fred Burton states that TrapWire is in place at every high-value target in New York City, Washington, D.C, and Los Angeles, as well as London and Ottawa.Any patterns detected – links among individuals, vehicles or activities – will be reported back to each affected facility. This information can also be shared with law enforcement organizations, enabling them to begin investigations into the suspected surveillance cell.
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