US prosecutors seek further restrictions on former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s internet access –
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Damian Williams and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are calling for “proposed changes” to former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions. SDNY prosecutors are asking the court to ban Bankman-Fried from using an internet-connected smartphone. Instead, the disgraced FTX co-founder would receive a government-issued flip phone with internet capabilities disabled.
Bankman-Fried may receive a flip phone with strings attached
On March 3, 2023, Justice Department and SDNY Counsel Damian Williams filed a motion with Judge Lewis Kaplan to amend the bail terms of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), former CEO of FTX. Prosecutors are attempting to restrict SBF’s Internet access through various devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers and video game devices that allow chat and voice communications. The proposed restriction would prohibit SBF from using internet-enabled smart devices.
The government also wants the temporary measures added to SBF’s bail conditions to be fully adopted. These measures include not communicating with any FTX or Alameda Research employee without legal counsel present, not using encrypted messengers such as Signal, and prohibiting the use of a VPN. SBF would receive a government-issued flip phone with a DOJ-controlled serial number, IMEI number, IMSI number, MAC address, and SIM number. The flip phone would allow SMS text messaging and voice calls.
“With respect to Defendant’s computer usage, the parties propose that Defendant’s new laptop be configured to only log into the Internet through certain VPNs, and that the VPNs only allow Defendant to access websites accessible through the VPNs Were Whitelisted,” court filings filed by SDNY attorney. “Specifically, an authorized VPN installed on the laptop would allow the defendant access to the cloud-hosted read-only FTX database provided as part of the investigation.”
In addition, federal prosecutors want to install surveillance software on SBF’s computer to log activities. If approved by Kaplan, SBF would have to release its electronic devices for investigation by law enforcement. The former FTX CEO would also be barred from buying new cellphones, tablets, computers or any other electronic device that can connect to the internet. Prior to the DOJ’s request, SBF was known for playing online video games, using Twitter, and recently created a Substack blog to explain his side of the story.
What do you think of the government’s proposed restrictions on Internet access and use of electronic devices by Sam Bankman-Fried? Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Source: Crypto News Deutsch
