To Prevent Wiretappings, President Temer Installs Voice Scrambler in His Office

07/20/2017 - 09h16

To prevent President Michel Temer from being wiretapped again, the Cabinet of Institutional Security (known by its Portuguese acronym as GSI) installed a device in his office that affects the comprehension of audio recordings made by electronic devices.

Called a "voice scrambler," the device installed three weeks ago produces sound signals that cannot be heard by humans - the signals interfere in the recording of sounds in the room and affect the audio of conversations in the president's office.

Folha has learned that the device is also being installed in the offices of the president's ministers. The government is also looking into the possibility of installing one at the Jaburu Palace, official residence of the country's vice president, where businessman Joesley Batista, of Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS, recorded a conversation he had with President Temer.

The recorded conversation was used in the accusation against the president for corruption in office. In May, President Temer received a new phone protected by cryptography.

Folha contacted GSI; however the agency informed that it will not comment on the installation of the voice scrambler.

EFFECTIVENESS

A TSG (Security Phone) has a cryptography device for phone calls and offers security in voice and data traffic.

Phone calls made by two encrypted devices can be intercepted; however, the conversation becomes unintelligible. On the other hand, when an encrypted phone communicates with an unprotected phone, the cryptography does not work.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

Read the article in the original language

	Evaristo Sá/AFP
	Brazilian President Michel Temer attends a public health investment announcement event at Planalto Palace in Brasilia