The saga of PROMIS and the Maxwell family uncovers a shadowy chapter where espionage, technology, and influence intertwine. From the covert manipulation of PROMIS software to the downfall of Robert Maxwell’s empire, this story is a study in secrecy and high-stakes maneuvering. The abrupt halt to investigations and the subsequent emergence of new ventures like Research on Demand illustrate a persistent pattern of evasion and adaptation.
In today’s world, the echoes of this narrative resonate strongly. The complexities of modern surveillance, data privacy, and corporate influence are profoundly shaped by the legacies of past espionage operations. The clandestine nature of PROMIS and its entanglements serve as a precursor to contemporary issues surrounding data control and international intrigue. As we grapple with the challenges of digital surveillance and the power dynamics of big data, the lessons of PROMIS remind us of the enduring and evolving interplay between technology, intelligence, and global politics.
🧵 1/12
In the annals of Israeli intelligence, few operations have matched the audacity and global impact of the scheme involving a compromised software program sold to governments, corporations, and the elite of financial and scientific institutions worldwide. This program, the Prosecutor’s Information Management System, known by its acronym PROMIS, was not just another piece of software. It was the brainchild of Inslaw Inc., a firm established by Bill Hamilton, a former NSA official, and his wife, Nancy.
In 1982, Inslaw introduced PROMIS to the U.S. Justice Department, then under the iron hand of Edwin Meese III, Ronald Reagan’s trusted confidant, who would later lend his influence to Donald Trump after the 2016 election. PROMIS was revolutionary, capable of integrating disparate databases and performing complex information analysis, feats that were previously unimaginable.
This innovation did not go unnoticed. Rafi Eitan, a figure as notorious as he was legendary, soon turned his attention to PROMIS. Eitan, infamous for his role as the handler of Jonathan Pollard, the most damaging spy in American history, was at the helm of Lekem, Israel's now-defunct intelligence service that specialized in the espionage of scientific and technical secrets.
🧵 1/12
