ATM jugging scam on the rise as thieves target victims

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Have you heard of “jugging?” Police are raising alarms about this new crime trend targeting ATM users nationwide and locally. Jugging happens when criminals wait near banks or ATMs, watching people withdraw cash. Then, they follow their targets, hoping to rob them or break into their vehicles. This crime can catch anyone off guard. You might not even realize you’re being watched. That’s why staying alert is crucial whenever you use an ATM.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERPOLICE SOUND ALARM ON DANGEROUS ‘JUGGING’ ROBBERY TREND SWEEPING ACROSS AMERICA A customer using an ATM machine (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)How jugging works: The criminal’s playbookJugging starts with suspects lurking near an ATM or bank. They watch for customers who withdraw money. Once a target is spotted, the suspects follow them, looking for an opportunity to strike. This could mean stealing cash directly, breaking into cars or worse. The key to jugging’s success is surprise and timing. Criminals rely on victims being distracted or unaware. Knowing this can help you avoid becoming their next target. ATM machine (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)Top safety tips to protect yourself from juggingPolice recommend several simple yet effective steps to stay safe:1. Stay aware of your surroundings: Always scan the area before and after using an ATM. If something seems suspicious, it probably is.2. Avoid distractions: Don’t use your cellphone or wear headphones while at the ATM. Stay alert to what’s happening around you.3. Be Discreet with your cash: Put your money away immediately after withdrawing it. Avoid counting cash in public.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE4. Lock your vehicle doors: Once inside your car, lock the doors right away. Never leave cash visible inside your vehicle.5. Change your routine: Visit different ATMs or banks at varying times. Being unpredictable makes it harder for criminals to target you.6. Watch for anyone following you: If you notice a vehicle tailing you after an ATM visit, don’t drive home. Instead, head to the nearest police station or a busy public place. Call 911 if you feel threatened. A customer withdrawing cash from an ATM machine (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)Why paying attention matters more than everJugging is on the rise across the country, and it’s not just happening in big cities anymore. Small towns and suburbs are seeing more cases, too. Criminals look for moments when people let their guard down, when they’re feeling safe or distracted. Staying alert and following a few simple safety tips can make a big difference and help keep you from becoming a target. Get Kurt’s best tech for personal protection: CyberGuy.com/PersonalProtectionKurt’s key takeawaysJugging is a clever and dangerous crime, but you don’t have to be a victim. Awareness and simple precautions can keep you safe. Next time you head to the ATM, ask yourself if you’re paying enough attention to your surroundings. Could a criminal be watching me right now? Your safety depends on your awareness. Stay alert, be unpredictable and protect yourself from jugging.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you ever felt uneasy or noticed something suspicious while using an ATM, and how did you handle it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Discovery Alert: Scientists Spot a Planetary Carousel

Featured, Space & Science / memoment editorial

KOI-134 b and KOI-134 c

A new investigation into old Kepler data has revealed that a planetary system once thought to house zero planets actually has two planets which orbit their star in a unique style, like an old-fashioned merry-go-round.

The KOI-134 system contains two planets which orbit their star in a peculiar fashion on two different orbital planes, with one planet exhibiting significant variation in transit times. This is the first-discovered system of its kind.

Over a decade ago, scientists used NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope to observe the KOI-134 system and thought that it might have a planet orbiting, but they deemed this planet candidate to be a false positive, because its transits (or passes in front of its star) were not lining up as expected. These transits were so abnormal that the planet was actually weeded out through an automated system as a false positive before it could be analyzed further.

However, NASA’s commitment to openly sharing scientific data means that researchers can constantly revisit old observations to make new discoveries. In this new study, researchers re-analyzed this Kepler data on KOI-134 and confirmed that not only is the “false positive” actually a real planet, but the system has two planets and some really interesting orbital dynamics!

First, the “false positive” planet, named KOI-134 b, was confirmed to be a warm Jupiter (or a warm planet of a similar size to Jupiter). Through this analysis, researchers uncovered that the reason this planet eluded confirmation previously is because it experiences what are called transit timing variations (TTVs), or small differences in a planet’s transit across its star that can make its transit “early” or “late” because the planet is being pushed or pulled by the gravity from another planet which was also revealed in this study. Researchers estimate that KOI-134 b transits across its star as much as 20 hours “late” or “early,” which is a significant variation. In fact, it was so significant that it’s the reason why the planet wasn’t confirmed in initial observations.

As these TTVs are caused by the gravitational interaction with another planet, this discovery also revealed a planetary sibling: KOI-134 c. Through studying this system in simulations that include these TTVs, the team found that KOI-134 c is a planet slightly smaller than Saturn and closer to its star than KOI-134 b.

KOI-134 c previously eluded observation because it orbits on a tilted orbital plane, a different plane from KOI-134 b, and this tilted orbit prevents the planet from transiting its star. The two orbital planes of these planets are about 15 degrees different from one another, also known as a mutual inclination of 15 degrees, which is significant. Due to the gravitational push and pull between these two planets, their orbital planes also tilt back and forth.

Another interesting feature of this planetary system is something called resonance. These two planets have a 2 to 1 resonance, meaning within the same time that one planet completes one orbit, the other completes two orbits. In this case, KOI-134 b has an orbital period (the time it takes a planet to complete one orbit) of about 67 days, which is twice the orbital period of KOI-134 c, which orbits every 33-34 days.

Between the separate orbital planes tilting back and forth, the TTVs, and the resonance, the two planets orbit their star in a pattern that resembles two wooden ponies bobbing up and down as they circle around on an old-fashioned merry go round.

While this system started as a false positive with Kepler, this re-analysis of the data reveals a vibrant system with two planets. In fact, this is the first-ever discovered compact, multiplanetary system that isn’t flat, has such a significant TTV, and experiences orbital planes tilting back and forth.

Also, most planetary systems do not have high mutual inclinations between close planet pairs. In addition to being a rarity, mutual inclinations like this are also not often measured because of challenges within the observation process. So, having measurements like this of a significant mutual inclination in a system, as well as measurements of resonance and TTVs, provides a clear picture of dynamics within a planetary system which we are not always able to see.

A team of scientists led by Emma Nabbie of the University of Southern Queensland published a paper on June 27 on their discovery, “A high mutual inclination system around KOI-134 revealed by transit timing variations,” in the journal “Nature Astronomy.” The observations described in this paper and used in simulations in this paper were made by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and the paper included collaboration and contributions from institutions including the University of Geneva, University of La Laguna, Purple Mountain Observatory, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Southern Queensland, and NASA’s retired Kepler Space Telescope.

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Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Passes, Sets Aside $150 Billion for Defense

Military & Secret Tech / memoment editorial

President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill“ will detonate a $150 billion payload into the heart of the U.S. military-industrial complex. This marks the most significant defense funding surge in recent history, surpassing even the Reagan-era buildup. The bill, passed narrowly in both chambers of Congress, is set to be signed into law on July 4th, symbolizing a new era of American military might.
At the core of this financial windfall is the ambitious “Golden Dome“ missile defense system, allocated a brain-numbing $25 billion to initiate its development. Envisioned as a space-based shield against long-range and hypersonic missile threats, the Golden Dome aims to be a technological marvel, though its feasibility and final cost remain subjects of debate. Who knows, for $25 billion (and that’s just to start) the thing may be made out of real gold.
Additional allocations include $29 billion for shipbuilding, $25 billion for munitions, $16 billion for military innovation and artificial intelligence, $15 billion for nuclear deterrence, and $12 billion for operations in the Indo-Pacific region. An $8.5 billion investment targets quality-of-life improvements for service members, addressing barracks maintenance, healthcare, and other essential services.

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ESA tracks rare interstellar comet

Space & Science / memoment editorial

Space Safety

03/07/2025
2212 views
28 likes

Astronomers have confirmed the discovery of a rare celestial visitor: a comet from beyond our Solar System.Officially named 3I/ATLAS, this newly identified interstellar object is only the third of its kind ever observed, following the famous 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.

A visitor from beyond the void

The comet was first spotted on 1 July 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. Its unusual trajectory immediately raised suspicions that it originated from interstellar space. This was later confirmed by astronomers around the world, and the object was given its formal designation: 3I/ATLAS, indicating its status as the third known interstellar object.3I/ATLAS is approximately 670 million kilometres from the Sun and will make its closest approach in late October 2025, passing just inside the orbit of Mars. It is thought to be up to 20 kilometres wide and is travelling roughly 60 km/s relative to the Sun. It poses no danger to Earth, coming no closer than 240 million kilometres – over 1.5 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.

ESA tracks the interstellar interloper

ESA’s Planetary Defence Office responded promptly to the discovery. Automated detection systems alerted ESA’s astronomers, who are contributing to global efforts to track the comet’s path and to find evidence of its existence in older data – a process known as ‘precovery.’

ESA observes interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

ESA astronomers are using telescopes in Hawaii, Chile, and Australia to monitor the comet’s progress. Some of these telescopes are owned by ESA, others are provided as part of longstanding partnerships.These efforts are part of ESA’s broader mission to detect, track, and characterise near-Earth objects – though 3I/ATLAS is not considered one, due to its distance from our planet.Scientists will now be interested in learning more about this interstellar visitor’s composition and behaviour.

3I/ATLAS is an active comet. If it heats up sufficiently as it nears our star, it could begin to sublimate – a process in which frozen gases transform directly into vapor, carrying dust and ice particles into space to form a glowing coma and tail.However, by the time the comet reaches its closest point to Earth, it will be hidden behind the Sun. It is expected to reappear by early December, offering astronomers another window for study.

A remnant from a distant world

What makes interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS so extraordinary is their absolutely foreign nature. While every planet, moon, asteroid, comet and lifeform that formed in our Solar System shares a common origin, a common heritage, interstellar visitors are true outsiders. They are remnants of other planetary systems, carrying with them clues about the formation of worlds far beyond our own.

It may be thousands of years until humans visit a planet in another solar system and interstellar comets offer the tantalising opportunity for us to touch something truly otherworldly.These icy wanderers offer a rare, tangible connection to the broader galaxy – to materials formed in environments entirely unlike our own. To visit one would be to connect humankind with the Universe on a far greater scale.

ESA mission will intercept the unknown

Comet Interceptor

To this end, ESA is preparing the Comet Interceptor mission. The spacecraft will be launched in 2029 into a parking orbit at the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), lying in wait for a suitable target – a pristine comet from the distant Oort Cloud that surrounds our Solar System, or, unlikely but highly appealing, an interstellar object.While it is improbable that we will discover an interstellar object that is reachable for Comet Interceptor, as a first demonstration of a first rapid response mission that waits in space for its target, it will be a pathfinder for possible future missions to intercept these mysterious visitors.

Whether it’s 1I/‘Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS or the future target of an interceptor mission, each new interstellar visitor reminds us that we are part of a vast and dynamic galaxy – and that sometimes, the Universe comes to us.

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U.S. Navy Begins AIM-260 JATM Procurement in FY2026 Budget

Military & Secret Tech / memoment editorial

Carter Johnston

Carter Johnston a freshman at George Washington University’s Elliott School for International Affairs in the Class of 2028. He is based in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Illinois. His interests include shipyard infrastructure in the United States, ongoing modernization efforts of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and the politics that lead to their success domestically and globally.

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Gen. Donahue on Deterring Russia in Europe

Leave a Comment / Military & Secret Tech / memoment editorial

Gen. Christopher Todd Donahue, who leads U.S. Army Europe and Africa as well as Allied Land Command, joined Ryan for a discussion at WOTR HQ. For the first five minutes, they chat about his Army story, his time in the Ranger Regiment, before discussing how the Army Transformation Initiative is unfolding in Europe, from maneuver brigades, new technologies, command-and-control, drone and counter-drone operations, and more. Donahue previews how the U.S. Army has deliberately identified lessons from the war in Ukraine and how the Army fits into the joint fight.

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In 1900, several french artists drew what they thought life would be like in 2000… And some are really spot on…

未分類 / memoment editorial

https://strangesounds.substack.com/p/in-1900-several-french-artists-drew The post In 1900, several french artists drew what they thought life would be like in 2000… And some are really spot on… appeared first on Strange Sounds.

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Private/Unlisted YouTube Videos of U.S. Government Agencies

UFOs & Disclosure / memoment editorial

Background
Many U.S. government agencies and military branches have public YouTube pages. That is no secret. However, within these channels, lies a hidden treasure trove of PRIVATE/UNLISTED videos NOT accessible by the general public.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Black Vault along with another researcher has tackled trying to get access to these videos listings. That researcher has donated the requests they did, along with the documents, to the archive below. However, they asked for their identifying information to be redacted.
The below lists can then be used to request the videos themselves.Continue scrolling for more…

There are numerous more open FOIA requests for these pages, which will be added below. Visit often, as there are many more to be added soon.
Document Archive
By clicking on the government agency name below, you will get the FOIA response and in most cases, the list of videos. I have also marked the release date, in order to show the timeframe of when the released list existed.
Air Force [6 Pages, 0.9MB] – Released 27 January 2021
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau [2 Pages, 0.3MB] – Released 25 March 2021
American Battle Monuments Commission [5 Pages, 3.2MB] – Released 12 January 2021
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Release #1 [27 Pages, 0.3MB] – Released 11 December 2020
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Release #2 [41 Pages, 0.3MB] – Released 24 March 2021
Bonneville Power Administration [29 Pages, 17MB] – Released 11 January 2021
Bureau of Economic Analysis [15 Pages, 2.2MB] – Released 5 February 2021
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) [3 Pages, 0.4MB] – Released 8 January 2021
Bureau of the Fiscal Service [5 Pages, 0.4MB] – Released 14 January 2021
Bureau of Indian Affairs [3 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 22 February 2021
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) [8 Pages, 1.4MB] – Released 30 December 2020
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) [26 Pages, 8.4MB] – Released 1 January 2021
Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement (BSEE) [8 Pages, 5MB] – Released 22 December 2020
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [77 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 5 February 2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) [10 Pages, 1.1MB] – Released 15 July 2024
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) [6 Pages, 1.1MB] – Released 26 January 2021
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) [4 Pages, 1.0MB] – Released 6 January 2021
U.S. Customs and Border Protection [13 Pages, 1.0MB] – Released 6 January 2021
Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) [21 Pages, 7.8MB] – Released 23 December 2020
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNSFB) [8 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 28 January 2021
Department of Agriculture [2 Pages, 0.2MB] – 8 January 2021 Denying Request
Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Service (APHIS) [4 Pages, 0.7MB] – Released 14 October 2022
Department of Agriculture – Rural Development [39 Pages, 4.6MB] – Released 26 January 2021
Department of Education [216 Pages, 100MB] – Released 28 January 2021
Department of Energy [96 Pages, 5.5MB] – Released 14 May 2021
Department of Housing and Urban Development [13 Pages, 0.6MB] – Released 15 March 2021
Department of Justice [20 Pages, 15.5MB] – Released 26 August 2021
Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Prisons [2 Pages, 0.4MB] – Released 5 March 2024
Department of Justice – Office of Justice – [14 Pages, 3.3MB] – Released 15 September 2021
Department of Transportation (DOT) [8 Pages, 2.2MB] – Released 28 January 2021
Department of Treasury [2 Pages, 0.3MB] – Released 3 July 2025
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) [6 Pages, 3MB] – Released 5 January 2021
Farm Credit Administration (FCA) [5 Pages, 3MB] – Released 19 January 2021
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) [8 Pages, 6.1MB] – Released 22 December 2020
Federal Election Commission (FEC) [4 Pages, 1.8MB] – Released 7 January 2021
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) [55 Pages, 9MB] – Released 4 August 2021
Federal Reserve System [3 Pages, 1.0MB] – Released 14 January 2021
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) [12 Pages, 5.8MB] – Released 26 January 2021
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [2 Pages, 1.7MB] – Released 4 January 2021
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) [10 Pages, 2MB] – Released 14 April 2021
Fish & Wildlife Service [20 Pages, 1.5MB] – Released 6 January 2021
Food Safety & Inspection Service [20 Pages, 1.5MB] – Released 2 March 2021
General Services Administration (GSA) [17 Pages, 5.7MB] – Released 12 January 2021
General Services Administration (GSA) – After Appeal of the above request, new documents are released [17 Pages, 3.2MB] – Released 7 May 2021
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) [3 Pages, 1MB] – Released 31 December 2020
Inter-American Foundation (IAF) [6 Pages, 4.2MB] – Released 27 January 2021
Maritime Administration [6 Pages, 1.4MB] – Released 8 January 2021
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) [6 Pages, 1.2MB] – Released 10 February 2021
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Excluding JPL) [207 Pages, 22.5MB] – Released 22 March 2021
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) [4 Pages, 5MB] – Released 8 January 2021
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) [22 Pages, 7.5MB] – Released 5 February 2021
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) [97 Pages, 2.0MB] – Released 20 January 2021
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) [25 Pages, 12.0MB] – Released 25 January 2021
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [37 Pages, 15.0MB] – Released 11 September 2024
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) [9 Pages, 1.2MB] – Released 28 December 2020
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [10 Pages, 1.2MB] – Released 29 January 2021
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) [6 Pages, 7.0MB] – Released 25 January 2021
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) [1 Page, 1.0MB] – Released 14 April 2021
National Science Foundation (NSF) [3 Pages, 0.5MB] – Released 26 March 2021
National Security Agency (NSA) [2 Pages, 1.2MB] – Released 12 January 2021
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) [28 Pages, 11MB] – Released 15 January 2021
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) [5 Pages, 1.2MB] – Released 29 December 2020
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – Stated no “Non-Public” Videos on their YouTube page, as of 8 February 2021.
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) [8 Pages, 2MB] – Released 30 March 2021
Office of Government Ethics (OGE) [24 Pages, 4.8MB] – Released 10 February 2021
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) [6 Pages, 11MB] – Released 25 February 2021
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) [3 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 5 January 2021
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [9 Pages, 4.2MB] – Released 6 January 2021
Secret Service [2 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 4 June 2021
Selective Service Administration (SSA) [2 Pages, 0.8MB] – Released 22 December 2020
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) [2 Pages, 0.6MB] – Released 19 January 2021
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission – Stated no “Non-Public” Videos on their YouTube page, as of 2 April 2021.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [13 Pages, 4.2MB] – Released 6 January 2021
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) [5 Pages, 1.4MB] – Released 30 December 2020
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) [16 Pages, 6MB] – Released 1 March 2021
Agencies Without YouTube Channels

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

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Airlines secretly sold US travelers’ data to Homeland Security

AI & Singularity, Space & Science / memoment editorial

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
At this point, most Americans are aware that their personal information is often up for sale. But few would have expected their domestic flight records to be part of the trade. You might think that when you book a flight, the data stays between you, the airline and perhaps your travel agency, but a new report suggests otherwise. Internal documents reveal that major U.S. airlines have been funneling detailed passenger data to a little-known broker, which then sells that information directly to the Department of Homeland Security. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER16 BILLION PASSWORDS LEAKED IN MASSIVE DATA BREACH Airplane flying in the sky (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)Which airlines shared data and how the travel intelligence program worksAt the center of the controversy is the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), a company jointly owned by several of the largest U.S. airlines, including Delta, American Airlines and United. ARC’s core business includes managing ticket settlements between airlines and travel agencies. However, under a lesser-known initiative called the Travel Intelligence Program (TIP), ARC collects and monetizes vast amounts of data from domestic flight bookings. This includes names, complete itineraries and payment details.Internal government records and procurement documents reveal that Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has purchased access to ARC’s TIP data to track individuals of interest across the U.S. While CBP maintains that this data supports criminal and administrative investigations, critics argue that the arrangement raises major privacy concerns. The data is shared without travelers’ knowledge or consent, and ARC reportedly requested that the agency keep its identity confidential unless legally required to disclose it.The documents confirm that CBP’s initial contract with ARC began in June 2024. It has already been extended and may continue through 2029. Although the initial amounts seem modest, around $11,000 with a recent $6,800 update, the implications are far-reaching. Passengers traveling on an airplane (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)What DHS is collecting from your flight bookings and why it’s concerningARC’s Travel Intelligence Program goes far beyond basic passenger manifests. It includes over a billion records spanning both past and future travel, updated daily. The system can be queried by name, credit card or even travel agency. Importantly, it does not include data from tickets purchased directly through airline websites, focusing instead on bookings made via travel agencies, such as Expedia.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREThe DHS has justified its use of TIP data in a public Privacy Impact Assessment, noting the program helps in active investigations. CBP echoed this, stating that data is only used when a case is already open. Still, this sets a dangerous precedent. It normalizes mass surveillance through third-party data purchases, undermining safeguards designed to limit unnecessary intrusion.This isn’t an isolated incident. Last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement also acknowledged purchasing ARC data. Other federal agencies listed in procurement records include the Secret Service, SEC, DEA, TSA and even the Air Force. Travelers at an airport (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)6 ways you can protect your privacy from data brokersIf you want to take back control of your personal information, here are six smart steps you can take right now to reduce your exposure to data brokers.1. Book flights directly on airline websites: Whenever you can, avoid using third-party travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz or travel agencies. These platforms are the main sources of the data collected by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) through its Travel Intelligence Program. When you book directly on an airline’s official website or mobile app, your data is far less likely to be shared with ARC or sold to government agencies. While it might be tempting to look for deals on aggregator sites, once you find a fare you like, try to book it directly through the airline.2. Use virtual or disposable credit cards: The ARC system allows queries by credit card number, which means your travel activity can be tracked even if your name is not directly searched. To protect yourself, consider using a virtual credit card or a disposable card number for flight bookings. These are often available through banking apps or fintech services like Revolut, Privacy.com or certain American Express accounts. Virtual cards are tied to your main account but generate a temporary number that can only be used once or at a specific merchant. This makes it much harder for brokers to link future bookings to you.3. Share the bare minimum when booking: Be cautious about the personal information you enter during the booking process. Unless it is legally required, avoid adding unnecessary details like your frequent flyer number, passport data for domestic flights or secondary phone numbers. You can also create a separate email address specifically for travel bookings to reduce the risk of cross-linking data with your other online accounts. When it comes to loyalty programs, consider opting out or using a separate identity if you are concerned about data being shared across companies.4. Remove your data from the internet: The most effective way to take control of your data and avoid data brokers from selling it is to opt for data removal services. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com/Delete5. Use a privacy-focused browser and email service: Prevent tracking at the source by using privacy-first tools. Switch to browsers like Brave, Firefox or DuckDuckGo, which block ads and data collectors by default. Set up a separate, secure alias email address for booking travel using services. This limits how easily brokers can link your travel data to your online identity. See my review of the best secure and private email services by visiting Cyberguy.com/Mail6. Use an identity theft protection service: If your travel or payment data is ever leaked or abused, freezing your credit can help prevent identity theft. Identity theft companies can assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. They can also monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. One of the best parts of my No. 1 pick is that is it has identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft by visiting Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft Kurt’s key takeawayThe ARC incident is yet another example of federal agencies bypassing traditional legal channels by buying sensitive data from private firms. Travelers are not just passengers, they are data points in a growing ecosystem where information is currency. The fact that this trade happened without informed consent and behind legal smokescreens should worry anyone who values privacy.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWould you change how you book flights if it meant protecting your personal data? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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FOIA Response Reveals Contact Between AARO and Enigma Labs; Details Remain Largely Redacted

UFOs & Disclosure / memoment editorial

Enigma Labs Logo
In a new batch of documents obtained by The Black Vault, the Department of Defense has released direct communications between the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and Enigma Labs, a private company working in the UAP research space. The release stems from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by The Black Vault in January 2023, and finalized on July 3, 2025, under case number 23-F-0711. The documents include 50 pages of emails and internal correspondence, many of which are redacted, shedding little light on early coordination between the government’s UAP investigative office and outside technology partners.
The FOIA request was submitted based on public claims suggesting a partnership with AARO on UAP-related efforts. To narrow the scope, The Black Vault referenced such public claims, including those stating that Enigma Labs was collaborating with AARO to support data collection and analytics.
One such claim came via journalist Bryan Bender, formerly of Politico, who posted on January 19, 2023: “AARO is partnering with Enigma Labs to evaluate their application, data stream and filtering capabilities to determine the utility of its open source data to augment its collection efforts focused on national security areas only. Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough tells me.” However, Bender’s tweet has since been deleted and his account no longer exists, making independent verification difficult.Continue scrolling for more…

In total, 50 pages of records were identified as responsive. However, the majority of the content was redacted under FOIA exemptions (b)(5) and (b)(6). Exemption (b)(5) protects inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are part of the deliberative process, while (b)(6) covers information that would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Among the sparse unredacted information, one segment, which appears to be from Enigma Labs, offered a rare look into the company’s internal structure. The message stated: “[redacted]…this week detailing the push for standardized, data- driven, rational reporting. And the call for the new AOIMSG office to work with external partners on data collection and analytics. We have a team of 20 engineers, data scientists, and ex service vets with clearance who have built this rigorous product.”

While the author of the message is not explicitly confirmed, the context strongly suggests it originated from Enigma Labs. If so, this statement offers one of the few glimpses into the extent of the organization’s operational team.

Other fragments from the documents indicate that multiple virtual and in-person meetings were held between Enigma Labs representatives and AARO personnel, including then Director Dr. Sean M. Kirkpatrick. Topics discussed likely included Enigma Labs’ technical capabilities, data redaction pipelines, and demonstrations of their platform. However, due to the extensive redactions, few specifics about the content or outcomes of these meetings are known.
In another message from Kirkpatrick, a reference was made to “public private partnerships” and collaborative strategies to tackle the UAP issue, in which members on the Hill were apparently “very receptive” to the idea. Still, the nature and extent of any formal agreement, if any, between Enigma Labs and AARO remains unknown within the released material in this case.
The Black Vault has reached out to Enigma Labs in the past to gain insight into meetings with the DOD as revealed through previous FOIA requests, however, no response was ever received.
Extensive redactions made deciphering the contents of some of the messages quite difficult
The Black Vault is appealing the redactions, arguing that the volume and scope of withheld information, especially under exemption (b)(5), prevent transparency on an issue of high public interest.
Enigma Labs has been at the center of both interest and criticism within the UAP community. While the company presents itself as a scientific and technologically driven organization seeking to bring rigor to UAP reporting and analysis, others have questioned its transparency and affiliations. Some critics argue that partnerships with government entities raise concerns about data control and narrative shaping.
For context, Enigma Labs operates through its website at https://enigmalabs.io and states its mission is to use advanced tools such as machine learning and mobile technology to crowdsource and analyze UAP sightings. The company has largely kept details about its internal team out of the public eye, making this FOIA release, albeit limited, a rare look into its government interactions and the team it has.
The FOIA response and records can be viewed below.
See Also: Enigma Labs, USAF and Unknown Entities give NASA UAP Presentation
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Document Archive
FOIA Case 23-F-0711 Release Package [52 Pages, 2.5MB]

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