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What the Government Pays To Snoop On You

Posted by samzenpus on from the spying-for-simoleons dept.

transporter_ii writes "So what does it cost the government to snoop on us? Paid for by U.S. tax dollars, and with little scrutiny, surveillance fees charged by phone companies can vary wildly. For example, AT&T, imposes a $325 'activation fee' for each wiretap and $10 a day to maintain it. Smaller carriers Cricket and U.S. Cellular charge only about $250 per wiretap. But snoop on a Verizon customer? That costs the government $775 for the first month and $500 each month after that, according to industry disclosures made last year to Congressman Edward Markey."

3 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. certainly restoring the fourth amendment by Presto+Vivace · · Score: 5, Insightful

    could save us a lot of money, in addition to saving our constitution.

  2. It costs the government NOTHING. by jcr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The government isn't a producer of wealth. Every penny it spends is taken from us.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    1. Re:It costs the government NOTHING. by Alomex · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Actually many of the activities of the government are wealth producing, including science, education and infrastructure.

      The funny thing is that obviously false FoxNews talking point gets modded +5 Insightful because it appeals to people to be told that money was unjustly taken from them.

      p.s. By the way people out there reading this with mod points, you are all extremely handsome and you pay too much taxes, and you deserve a raise.