The NSA spied on the Internet sexploits of Muslim “radicalizers” – and hoped to use the information to embarrass and discredit them, classified documents reveal.
The top-secret papers – leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden – show that the NSA monitored porn proclivities of six targets that the NSA claimed are “exemplars” of how “personal vulnerabilities” can be learned through electronic surveillance, and then exploited to undermine the target’s credibility and reputation, according to the Huffington Post, which obtained the documents.
None of the six Muslims are accused of being involved in terror plots, and one is described as a “US person,” suggesting the target is a US citizen or legal resident.
Members of the Justice Department, DEA, Department of Commerce, and others were sent copies of the document – dated October 3, 2012 — from the NSA, according to the Huffington Post.
NSA wanted to use the information to subvert recruiting efforts of alleged radicals by “highlighting the hypocrisy” of the person in question.
The ‘hypocrisy” included watching “ sexually explicit material online” and “using sexually persuasive language when communicating with inexperienced young girls,” according to the report.
“A previous [intelligence] assessment report on radicalization indicated that radicalizers appear to be particularly vulnerable in the area of authority when their private and public behaviors are not consistent,” the NSA document noted.
“Some of the vulnerabilities, if exposed, would likely call into question a radicalizer’s devotion to the jihadist cause, leading to the degradation or loss of his authority,” the document continued.
According to the documents, the NSA obtained embarrassing, sexually explicit dirt on at least two of the targets.
The secret papers outline each of the six target’s alleged radical actions, along with the target’s personal “vulnerability.”
One of the targets –described as a Middle East-based “well-known media celebrity” – argued that the “US perpetrated the 9/11 attacks.” His vulnerability, according to NSA intelligence, is that he leads “a glamorous lifestyle.”
Another target, whose alleged stance is that “Non-Muslims are a threat to Islam” is into “online promiscuity” on the side, according to the NSA data.
A third, described as a “respected academic,’’ was targeted for his view that “offensive jihad is justified.” He, too, has a thing for “online promiscuity,” and also “publishes articles without checking facts,” according to the NSA file.
It is not known if NSA went through with its plans to discredit the Muslims, either publicly or privately.