I'm not trying to drown the forums in Snowden-related threads, so I apologize for yet another one. I keep trying to find info on what specifically Snowden has revealed about the NSA, but all I keep finding are articles where Snowden is talking about what a martyr he is, he's sacrificing everything for justice, etc. But if anyone could post specific things he's released about the NSA, preferably, the "damaging" stuff, I'd apreciate it.
The only thing I have heard is that he told the civilian citizens of the USA that the government had an intelligence program that was monitoring electronic communications in the country. People are freaking because they feel the government should not run such operations because it's an invasion of privacy.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThat's still a bit vague. What specific forms of electronic communication?
The only thing I have heard is that he told the civilian citizens of the USA that the government had an intelligence program that was monitoring electronic communications in the country. People are freaking because they feel the government should not run such operations because it's an invasion of privacy.
I've heard that the government has been monitoring millions of phone calls made through the Verizon cell phone company. Is this Snoweden-related info?
Originally posted by vivifyThey got a big pile of papers from the phone company which showed what number the call came from and what number the call went to.
That's still a bit vague. What specific forms of electronic communication?
I've heard that the government has been monitoring millions of phone calls made through the Verizon cell phone company. Is this Snoweden-related info?
They took this enormous amount of data and typed it into a computer which analyzed and looked for patterns, especially patterns that included the phone numbers of phones captured from terrorists.
I think.
EDIT - PRISM is the same thing but for e-mails I believe. Snowden leaked that these two metadata analysis techniques were being used. There's a special legal arrangement between the government and the company who gives the data which protects the company from being sued for giving up the data.
It sounds like they are collecting electronic data but when they want to actually use the data, they need to get a warent. However, there is a special, secret court that issues the warrant. It appears that most, if not all, requests for warrants have been granted. There is another secret appeals court should the first court deny the warrant. There has not been one appeal since this entire program was started back in the '70's during the Cold War when the NSA was established. It is these secret courts that is really troubling. It appears that checks and balances have been tossed out.
Originally posted by PhrannyBut wouldn't a "secret court" be necessary for cases regarding classified issues? And the fact that there's an appeal process and an even higher court to appeal to, seems to show that this is legitimate, and not just some fake court made for appearance of a legal process...right?
It sounds like they are collecting electronic data but when they want to actually use the data, they need to get a warent. However, there is a special, secret court that issues the warrant. It appears that most, if not all, requests for warrants have been granted. There is another secret appeals court should the first court deny the warrant. There has no ...[text shortened]... et courts that is really troubling. It appears that checks and balances have been tossed out.