What Can You Find Out From Metadata?

cervesaebraciator writes "In the wake of recent revelations from Edward Snowden, apologists for the state security apparatus are predictably hitting the airwaves. Some are even 'glad' the NSA has been doing this. A major point they emphasize is that the content of calls have remained private and it is only the metadata that they're interested in. But given how much one can tell from interpersonal connections, does the surveillance only represent a 'modest encroachments on privacy?' It is easy enough to imagine how metadata on phone calls made to and from a medical specialist could be more revealing than we'd like. But social network analysis can reveal far more. Duke sociologist Kieran Healy, in a light-hearted but telling article, shows how one father of the American Revolution could have been identified using the simplest tools of social network analysis and only a limited dataset."

Comments

Re:I'll know it is modest when

[cold fjord]

Between your loose talk of "treason" and wild claims about the judiciary, it's clear that you don't really know what you are talking about. Furthermore, the crime of treason is explicitly defined in the Constitution and in law. Here is the definition:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. -- 18 USC 2381 - Treason

And the Constitution adds this:

No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. -- Section 3: Treason

Nothing that has gone on meets either the Constitutional or statutory definition of treason. You're talking nonsense.

There is one item of concern though. You seem to be bordering on advocating the violent overthrow of the US government. You may be committing a breach of 18 USC 2385 - Advocating overthrow of Government. I hope you don't mean that.

One more thing, in order to resemble post-war Germany, the US would at some point have to resemble pre-war Germany. It doesn't. Not by a long stretch.

Enjoy your day.