It looks like the poo may have really hit the fan for Chris Roberts (@Sidragon1 on Twitter). If you’ve read this article on APTN and the affidavit for a search warrant that APTN obtained, you’ll already know that FBI agent Mark Hurley claimed that in interviews in February and March, Chris allegedly told the FBI that he was able to hack airplanes via their in-flight entertainment systems and that he had actually caused a plane to momentarily fly sideways. Kim Zetter of Wired has more on the story, including Chris’s statement that some of what the affidavit included was taken out of context. Chris declined to answer any questions from Kim as to whether he had ever done more than just monitor traffic or conduct simulated attacks.
I don’t know whether the affidavit was accurate, and for that matter, neither does anyone else who’s been reporting on its allegations or commenting on it. It’s surprising to see so many people who are generally skeptical about the accuracy of FBI claims just repeat the claims in the affidavit somewhat uncritically and condemn Chris or start to back away from supporting him.
Sadly, the story now seems more about Chris instead of the vulnerability he has been researching for years – a vulnerability that if it is verified could put all air travellers at risk of malicious actors.
The EFF is representing Chris in the FBI’s seizure of his encrypted devices last month. I don’t know if they will also be representing him if there are charges filed against him for hacking airplanes or where things are up to in terms of examining his seized devices – devices that he had tweeted were encrypted.
Sadly, this situation may have been a straw that broke his company’s back, or at least seriously impacted it. Chris tweeted that One World Lab (OWL)’s investors have backed out and that he had to lay off half his employees. In a tweet to this blogger over the weekend about his situation, Chris said:
@PogoWasRight It’s ok, thankfully thick skin, but company stuff with the family/team sucks and that hurts more than the FBI stuff.
— Chris Roberts (@Sidragon1) May 16, 2015
I’ve never met Chris in person. He wouldn’t know me from any other stunningly beautiful older woman (just kidding about the stunningly beautiful part), but I’m pretty damned sure that he’s still entitled to a presumption of innocence, and that those condemning him should wait until we hear his side of what he told the FBI and what their evidence of his alleged claims might be. For now, Chris has been advised not to say too much publicly:
Over last 5 years my only interest has been to improve aircraft security…given the current situation I’ve been advised against saying much
— Chris Roberts (@Sidragon1) May 17, 2015
Sorry it’s so generic, but there’s a whole 5 years of stuff that the affidavit incorrectly compressed into 1 paragraph….lots to untangle
— Chris Roberts (@Sidragon1) May 17, 2015
Maybe the media and commenters could keep that in mind before rushing to condemn him?
#justsaying