Acrobat, thieves, deception

Advances in VOIP (voice over IP) communications technologies not only made local or international connections far cheaper than land or mobile lines could make possible, but brought audiovisual capabilities to such levels as if the entire world is meeting in the study room or at the breakfast table.

Advances in the telecommunications and electronics sectors, of course, made it far easier for people who make a living eavesdropping others and the tyrannical regimes obsessed with learning what each and every subject is doing, how and with whom. All through the past many years I wanted to believe in the city legend that by typing in a certain code and my mobile number that I could detect if the almighty sultan's men have their ears on me. Alas, I discovered that such "detection methodologies" were indeed made-up city legends to make we mortal pitied creatures relax and pour out our most private things on the lines. VOIP connections, including the services allowing text and voice messages or live connections, are no exception, should the sultan's men want to listen to what you are talking about with your darling, they could do it so simply as if turning on the switch of the desktop lamp.

Friends called, some from as far away as Copenhagen and beyond, even across the Atlantic. The friend in Copenhagen was writing an article for a British newspaper on what's continuing on in Turkey. How come? Well, like most people with taste and capability, his family has a home in Turkey as well. That is he is a part-time Turk or a part-time Dane nowadays. He would not mind being eavesdropped on electronically, we were discussing what's happening in the country and the probable results, anyhow.

Well, my friend, who was almost declared persona non-grata in the...