Controversial Tactics of Black Cube Exposed
In a recent episode of “Þetta helst” on Rás eitt, the controversial practices of the espionage firm Black Cube were brought to light. Black Cube gained international notoriety following the 2017 Harvey Weinstein scandal. Weinstein’s lawyers hired Black Cube to spy on, intimidate, and silence those who sought to expose his sexual misconduct. At the time, Weinstein was one of Hollywood’s most prominent producers.
The Role of Ronan Farrow
Journalist Ronan Farrow played a pivotal role in unveiling Weinstein’s crimes, working for months to publish his findings in The New Yorker in October 2017. His work, alongside The New York Times, won the Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of Weinstein’s misconduct. In his book “Catch and Kill,” released in October 2019, Farrow details how Black Cube operatives attempted to thwart his investigation, not only by intimidating Weinstein’s accusers but also by targeting journalists covering the story.
The Impact of Black Cube’s Surveillance
Farrow, known for being the son of actress Mia Farrow and director Woody Allen, describes the relentless digital harassment he endured from Black Cube operatives, which drove him to the brink of insanity. He gathered evidence that the company used contentious surveillance equipment to gather information about him and his sources, putting both himself and his sources in jeopardy.
Rose McGowan’s Ordeal
Actress and activist Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein’s earliest accusers, was also targeted by Black Cube. The firm sought information on McGowan to intimidate her into silence. McGowan recounts these incidents in interviews with Farrow and in his book.
A Spy Turns Whistleblower
The aggressive tactics employed by Black Cube were so disconcerting that Igor Ostrovskiy, a subcontractor for the firm, chose to turn against them and contact Ronan Farrow. Ostrovskiy had been tasked with tracking Farrow’s movements and intentions. Realizing he was part of a cover-up for a significant scandal, Ostrovskiy disclosed everything he knew about Black Cube’s operations. His revelations included details about how spy software was used to access data and pinpoint the exact locations of Farrow and his interviewees. Ostrovskiy eventually gained whistleblower status and has since participated in several interviews. His actions encouraged others within Black Cube to come forward.
Ronan Farrow’s Documentary Premiere
Farrow’s encounter with Black Cube piqued his interest in espionage, leading him to investigate modern spying techniques. Today, he premieres his documentary “Surveilled,” which explores the United States’ controversial methods of surveilling its citizens. The film will be available on HBO’s streaming service later this month. A trailer for the documentary is available online.
What is Black Cube?
Founded around 2010 by former Mossad agents Dan Zorella and Amit Karp, Black Cube employs over a hundred individuals with backgrounds in military, intelligence, security, and law enforcement. The firm operates offices in several countries, including Israel, the UK, and Spain. Black Cube offers to gather information and evidence for clients to use in legal cases, business, or other purposes. Their website claims the company exposes corruption, fraud, bribery, and white-collar crimes.
Black Cube’s Controversial Success Stories
Black Cube’s website boasts of its involvement in various high-profile cases, such as exposing false allegations in a $2 billion mining dispute and uncovering extensive bribery at a Mexican oil company. However, these claims are difficult to verify. The firm is also known to have conducted analysis related to the collapse of Kaupthing for the Tchenguiz brothers, allegedly aiding their stance in the bank’s settlement.
The Cost of Black Cube’s Services
Black Cube’s services are reportedly very expensive, accessible only to those with substantial financial resources. During this investigation, it remained unclear who financed Black Cube’s deception of Jón Gunnarsson’s son. It was reported that the recordings made of him were for unnamed international organizations opposed to whaling. According to sources, it was a Black Cube employee named Guy Skoll who offered the recordings to Icelandic media.
Conclusion
Black Cube’s operations raise significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy and the lengths to which it will go to serve its clients. The firm’s involvement in the Weinstein scandal and other cases highlights the potential dangers posed by private intelligence agencies operating with little oversight. As more whistleblowers come forward, the scrutiny on such firms is likely to increase, prompting a reevaluation of their role in modern society.