A top secret National Security Agency program allows analysts to search with no prior authorization through vast databases containing emails, online chats and the browsing histories of millions of individuals, according to documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The NSA boasts in training materials that the program, called XKeyscore, is its "widest-reaching" system for developing intelligence from the internet.
The latest revelations will add to the intense public and congressional debate around the extent of NSA surveillance programs. They come as senior intelligence officials testify to the Senate judiciary committee on Wednesday, releasing classified documents in response to the Guardian's earlier stories on bulk collection of phone records and Fisa surveillance court oversight.
The files shed light on one of Snowden's most controversial statements, made in his first video interview published by the Guardian on June 10.
"I, sitting at my desk," said Snowden, could "wiretap anyone, from you or your accountant, to a federal judge or even the president, if I had a personal email".
US officials vehemently denied this specific claim. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee, said of Snowden's assertion: "He's lying. It's impossible for him to do what he was saying he could do."
But training materials for XKeyscore detail how analysts can use it and other systems to mine enormous agency databases by filling in a simple on-screen form giving only a broad justification for the search. The request is not reviewed by a court or any NSA personnel before it is processed.
XKeyscore, the documents boast, is the NSA's "widest reaching" system developing intelligence from computer networks – what the agency calls Digital Network Intelligence (DNI). One presentation claims the program covers "nearly everything a typical user does on the internet", including the content of emails, websites visited and searches, as well as their metadata.
Analysts can also use XKeyscore and other NSA systems to obtain ongoing "real-time" interception of an individual's internet activity.
Anyone still in favor of this dragnet that ensnares us all, or is privacy worth something to you now? I mean, are you comfortable with the government (and whoever they share information with) having this much data on you at any given time? Isn't time we, as American citizens, demand that our intelligence community be reigned in and actually controlled? Isn't it time that we find lawmakers that won't condone or sign off on gross Constitutional violations that affect millions? Isn't time?
More comfortable with the government having it than Facebook and Google <<and the latter do have it>>
The FedGov got the technology from....
Secret program gives NSA, FBI backdoor access to Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft data | The Verge
If the government has money to spy on its people then it has too much money period. The government has no business spying on its people.XKeyscore: NSA tool collects 'nearly everything a user does on the internet' | World news | theguardian.com
Anyone still in favor of this dragnet that ensnares us all, or is privacy worth something to you now? I mean, are you comfortable with the government (and whoever they share information with) having this much data on you at any given time? Isn't it time we, as American citizens, demand that our intelligence community be reigned in and actually controlled? Isn't it time that we find lawmakers that won't condone or sign off on gross Constitutional violations that affect millions? Isn't time?
The US gummint is a plutocracy. That means if the US gummint has backdoor access to accounts on these companies' services, then each of these companies has access to each others' services (using the NSA as their proxy).
Rich corporations control the govt., not the other way around.
More comfortable with the government having it than Facebook and Google <<and the latter do have it>>
Yeah, that's totally a valid reason to let it continue.
More comfortable with the government having it than Facebook and Google <<and the latter do have it>>
XKeyscore: NSA tool collects 'nearly everything a user does on the internet' | World news | theguardian.com
Anyone still in favor of this dragnet that ensnares us all, or is privacy worth something to you now? I mean, are you comfortable with the government (and whoever they share information with) having this much data on you at any given time? Isn't it time we, as American citizens, demand that our intelligence community be reigned in and actually controlled? Isn't it time that we find lawmakers that won't condone or sign off on gross Constitutional violations that affect millions? Isn't time?
Yet another article that exaggerates info and presents it out if context; not surprising to see all the "OMG, big brother!" concerns...
People are afraid of Cookie Monster LOL
XKeyscore: NSA tool collects 'nearly everything a user does on the internet' | World news | theguardian.com
Anyone still in favor of this dragnet that ensnares us all, or is privacy worth something to you now? I mean, are you comfortable with the government (and whoever they share information with) having this much data on you at any given time? Isn't it time we, as American citizens, demand that our intelligence community be reigned in and actually controlled? Isn't it time that we find lawmakers that won't condone or sign off on gross Constitutional violations that affect millions? Isn't time?
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