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Comment by the-dude | Hacker News Reader

As a Dutch citizen, I am very suspicious about this story. Sounds too good to be true? Probably is not true.

The timing was also amazingly convenient.

As another Dutch citizen, it's a true story! Read about it here: https://amp.nos.nl/artikel/2213762-hackteam-aivd-gaf-fbi-cru...

I know it has been reported in the news. Does not make it true.

They were pretty public with the evidence when it came out (including releasing security camera footage and names of Russian agents). Which parts do you think are false?

And those names can't be faked (or belong to true people but not relevant to what they supposedly did) because?

I'd be sceptical of any "revelation" from such agencies...

There's evidence that it's substantially true (ex. security camera footage and confirmation by most worldwide press outlets).

Curious if you have evidence that it's fabricated? Other than your distrust of intelligence agencies in general.

>Curious if you have evidence that it's fabricated?

What happened to the burden of proof?

Especially from professional liars like intelligence agencies...

So, no?

No, they don't have any proof just a claim we should take at face value.

Are you being intentionally obtuse?

I advice to read this book then: https://www.bol.com/nl/p/het-is-oorlog-maar-niemand-die-het-...

It was in there. Pretty interesting read as well. Lots of stuff on FoxIT and the guy behind it.

It doesn’t seem an English translation of the book has been released yet. I don’t speak Dutch so apologies if this is a silly question but when you mention FoxIT are you referring to the PDF application?

It's this FoxIT I imagine: https://www.fox-it.com/en/

Ah, that makes much more sense! Thanks!

Agree with you. Sounds too good to be True. IMO, Probably somebody had a mole inside GRU who was instrumental in getting the info. but in order to provide cover for its source, they invented a success story of the AIVD.

There isn't much literature on it (Dutch spying activities), but the little there is might convince you.

A fun exercise is applying with the AIVD or NFI (involved in spying on home soil). You may meet someone who can tell you some good war stories. Of course, you'll be bound not to speak of it outside company walls ;)

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