Revealed: NSA program collects 'nearly everything a user does on the internet'

[Kevin_Kennedy]

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.

Revealed: NSA program collects 'nearly everything a user does on the internet' | World news | theguardian.com

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.

So what we have here is more evidence of the intelligence community lying about the capabilities of the NSA.

They're basically able to look at anything and everything you do on the internet, including social media, emails, chats, and monitor the websites that you're visiting through this program.

The XKeyscore program also allows an analyst to learn the IP addresses of every person who visits any website the analyst specifies.

Nor is there any truth to the claim, as if we needed more evidence, that they can't sweep up Americans' communications without a warrant.

While the Fisa Amendments Act of 2008 requires an individualized warrant for the targeting of US persons, NSA analysts are permitted to intercept the communications of such individuals without a warrant if they are in contact with one of the NSA's foreign targets.

The ACLU's deputy legal director, Jameel Jaffer, told the Guardian last month that national security officials expressly said that a primary purpose of the new law was to enable them to collect large amounts of Americans' communications without individualized warrants.

"The government doesn't need to 'target' Americans in order to collect huge volumes of their communications," said Jaffer. "The government inevitably sweeps up the communications of many Americans" when targeting foreign nationals for surveillance.

 

[Sallow]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

 

[Kevin_Kennedy]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

So what you're saying is that Amazon or Facebook, which are only able to collect my data by my willingly using their software, and which I may stop using at any time I'd like, is comparable to the NSA collecting the data on every single website I visit, reading the content and metadata of all my emails, and any chat I may happen to take part in without my consent? I don't think so.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Are you seriously going to make the argument that private business is on the same scale as the federal govt when it comes to spying, collecting, gathering information?

 

[Noomi]

So do they know what porno I watched the other day? I wonder if they enjoyed it as much as I did. I haven't heard anything back...

 

[Kevin_Kennedy]

So do they know what porno I watched the other day? I wonder if they enjoyed it as much as I did. I haven't heard anything back...

Since you live in Australia, and responded to a thread that I not only posted in, but started, I'm pretty sure they can go through all of my communications without a warrant now.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

What the NSA is doing is just a smidgen more complex and intrusive than cookies.

 

[Yurt]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

of course it bothers me. apparently it doesn't bother you, even when the government does it. if bush was in office, you would be crying holy hell.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

So what you're saying is that Amazon or Facebook, which are only able to collect my data by my willingly using their software, and which I may stop using at any time I'd like, is comparable to the NSA collecting the data on every single website I visit, reading the content and metadata of all my emails, and any chat I may happen to take part in without my consent? I don't think so.

Actually, yes.

You can stop using the internet and wireless communications as well to avoid perceived government surveillance.

The ‘argument’ that you ‘have’ to use the internet and wireless communications in the 21st Century, that it’s impossible to survive without doing so is not valid.

And the NSA collecting the data on every single website you visit, reading the content and metadata of all your emails, and any chat you may happen to take part in without your consent is legal and Constitutional because you have no expectation of privacy with regard to these communications once that information is provided to a private third party, such as an ISP or wireless phone company.

Moreover, because the data are not collected pursuant to a criminal investigation or prosecution, there are no 4th Amendment search and seizure issues in play. That you ‘feel’ the government ‘might’ use the information against you at some point and in some nefarious manner in the future is not Constitutionally valid, and not grounds for making a 4th Amendment right to privacy violation claim in Federal court. See: Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013).

 

[dblack]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

Liberal nonsense?

Nope. Straight-up authoritarian apologist.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Actually, yes.

You can stop using the internet and wireless communications as well to avoid perceived government surveillance.

The ‘argument’ that you ‘have’ to use the internet and wireless communications in the 21st Century, that it’s impossible to survive without doing so is not valid.

And the NSA collecting the data on every single website you visit, reading the content and metadata of all your emails, and any chat you may happen to take part in without your consent is legal and Constitutional because you have no expectation of privacy with regard to these communications once that information is provided to a private third party, such as an ISP or wireless phone company.

Moreover, because the data are not collected pursuant to a criminal investigation or prosecution, there are no 4th Amendment search and seizure issues in play. That you ‘feel’ the government ‘might’ use the information against you at some point and in some nefarious manner in the future is not Constitutionally valid, and not grounds for making a 4th Amendment right to privacy violation claim in Federal court. See: Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013).

Did your mother have any kids that lived?

 

[dblack]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

So what you're saying is that Amazon or Facebook, which are only able to collect my data by my willingly using their software, and which I may stop using at any time I'd like, is comparable to the NSA collecting the data on every single website I visit, reading the content and metadata of all my emails, and any chat I may happen to take part in without my consent? I don't think so.

Nooo.... you're missing the point. What Sallow is trying to say is that overbearing, intrusive government is cool beans when your guy is in charge! Democrats are only liberals when Republicans are in charge.

 

[Yurt]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

So what you're saying is that Amazon or Facebook, which are only able to collect my data by my willingly using their software, and which I may stop using at any time I'd like, is comparable to the NSA collecting the data on every single website I visit, reading the content and metadata of all my emails, and any chat I may happen to take part in without my consent? I don't think so.

Actually, yes.

You can stop using the internet and wireless communications as well to avoid perceived government surveillance.

The ‘argument’ that you ‘have’ to use the internet and wireless communications in the 21st Century, that it’s impossible to survive without doing so is not valid.

And the NSA collecting the data on every single website you visit, reading the content and metadata of all your emails, and any chat you may happen to take part in without your consent is legal and Constitutional because you have no expectation of privacy with regard to these communications once that information is provided to a private third party, such as an ISP or wireless phone company.

Moreover, because the data are not collected pursuant to a criminal investigation or prosecution, there are no 4th Amendment search and seizure issues in play. That you ‘feel’ the government ‘might’ use the information against you at some point and in some nefarious manner in the future is not Constitutionally valid, and not grounds for making a 4th Amendment right to privacy violation claim in Federal court. See: Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013).

you obviously don't work for a living, at least any professional job

 

[asterism]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

How so?

(the public funds into private hands part)

 

[francoHFW]

OP-Yeah, and they may not look at it until you are seen to be talking to terrorists ZZZZZZZZZ. Pub dupes.

 

[dblack]

OP-Yeah, and they may not look at it until you are seen to be talking to terrorists ZZZZZZZZZ. Pub dupes.

You're fair minded, non-partisan analysis is most appreciated.

 

[eots]

pressure cooker....

 

[MeNonPartisan]

So what?

It's the price you pay for perversion, terrrorism and using the internet. Unless the information is being used dishonorably or I'm doing something I shouldn't, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[francoHFW]

OP-Yeah, and they may not look at it until you are seen to be talking to terrorists ZZZZZZZZZ. Pub dupes.

You're fair minded, non-partisan analysis is most appreciated.

You're welcome. I'm always right and never lie. It's reading between the lines. Pubs and Fox etc lie, corporate media and the Dems they cover are PC outraged but actually media driven...this too will calm down. LUCKILY THE ADULTS ARE IN CHARGE. Fact.

 

[asterism]

The private sector does that too.

Uses it for adverts.

That bother you as well? It's another way public funds get funneled into private hands.

So what you're saying is that Amazon or Facebook, which are only able to collect my data by my willingly using their software, and which I may stop using at any time I'd like, is comparable to the NSA collecting the data on every single website I visit, reading the content and metadata of all my emails, and any chat I may happen to take part in without my consent? I don't think so.

Actually, yes.

You can stop using the internet and wireless communications as well to avoid perceived government surveillance.

The ‘argument’ that you ‘have’ to use the internet and wireless communications in the 21st Century, that it’s impossible to survive without doing so is not valid.

And the NSA collecting the data on every single website you visit, reading the content and metadata of all your emails, and any chat you may happen to take part in without your consent is legal and Constitutional because you have no expectation of privacy with regard to these communications once that information is provided to a private third party, such as an ISP or wireless phone company.

Moreover, because the data are not collected pursuant to a criminal investigation or prosecution, there are no 4th Amendment search and seizure issues in play. That you ‘feel’ the government ‘might’ use the information against you at some point and in some nefarious manner in the future is not Constitutionally valid, and not grounds for making a 4th Amendment right to privacy violation claim in Federal court. See: Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013).

Except I do have an expectation of privacy when I take steps to secure the information. That means my google searches and facebook messages (using the https versions), my communications with my hired professionals with client-provider/doctor-patient fiduciary relationships, and my immediate family are supposed to be off limits without a warrant. The Constitution does not apply only to criminal cases when dealing with specific information about me.

This isn't anonymous meta-data used in national security for search patterns, this is direct collection and storage of information that can be used for whatever purpose the bureaucrat that has access to it can justify. If it's not specifically used as evidence in a criminal case, it's evidence used to build a case and practice punitive investigation.

Think Jack Ryan's supposedly sealed divorce records or Rush Limbaugh's medical records.


I remember during my oblique relationship with NSA (Marine Corps Sigint) I saw these tools being built. Due to my independent knowledge of technology and my talent I interviewed for minor roles in some of this stuff now going on. Back then, NSA was pure defense, only foreign threats. That certainly isn't the case now and the access controls have been relaxed (clearly demonstrated with PFC Manning). I now think Bush was incompetent in this arena and Obama is in over his head.

Bad bad things are going to happen. This is just the first planned volley.