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NSA Can't Search Its Own Email

cycoj writes "The NSA says that there is no central method to search its own email. When asked in a Freedom of Information Act request for emails with the National Geographic Channel over a specific time period, the agency, which has been collecting and analyzing the data of hundreds of millions of Internet users, says it can only perform person-per-person searches on its own email."

5 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. Re:big surprise by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    More likely a case of somebody lying to get around a FOIA request, for which there will be consequences. All government agencies have very strict regulations concerning record keeping and FOIA, with jail time possible for anyone who fails to abide by those regulations.

  2. Re:Exchange by datavirtue · · Score: 5, Informative

    Avoided the feature because of FOIA requests. There are a lot of loopholes for gov organizations to avoid sunshine requests if they really want to--part of it is making the information difficult to reach (can't get the info==do not have to comply). Also, FOIA compliance hinges on each institution's policy in regard to the information. They can set a two day retention policy so that if you request it four days from now they will delete it and reply that the information is not available. Government institutions are hostile to information requests--believe it or not. Power and control is paramount in these environments and arbitrary information requests from outsiders flies in the face of this disposition. [first-hand knowledge]

    --
    I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  3. Re:"Can't" vs. "Don't Want To" by datavirtue · · Score: 3, Informative

    The only thing they have to hide is how little they actually do at work.

    You've obviously have never worked in government. There is no need to hide how little you actually do--furthermore, working hard or working extra will ultimately get you in trouble (we call it "getting your hand slapped").

    --
    I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  4. Damn straight! apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    It's SO f'ing ridiculous, & worst of all? They're trying to feed us BULLSHIT like we're fucking STUPID or something... It's an INSULT to American people's intelligence!

    * This really 'sets me off': &, it should all of you also, as fellow americans - we DON'T want this shit to go on -> http://hotair.com/archives/2013/07/24/video-nsa-white-house-getting-worried-about-defunding-vote-in-house/

    Mr. Alexander's getting "panicky" & REACTING too: His tax dollars WE PAY FOR *may* be cut the F off... "We SEE you" pal, for what you TRULY are.

    Why am I upset along with every other "Joe Public little person" out there? The assholes use it against us, but "OH, NO, not on ourselves!"...

    That, & I saw protesters get f'd over - then, the abuse of the IRS targetting political opponents (both of which are WRONG as wrong gets), but then I saw how Gen. Keith Alexander & Mr. James Clapper outright LIED saying they were NOT intercepting communique data of US citizens (especially since the NSA is or WAS not permitted to do so to native US citizenry - sure, "but it's LEGAL" yea, ok - changing the rules IN "SECRET COURTS" (WTF? They're EMPLOYEES OF OURS, not our masters, we have a RIGHT to know what the fuck they're up to, especially when it concerns us), subverting constitutional rights & such is WRONG too - up there with "hate speech" b.s. too - if you say something, it has every RIGHT to be said, but it's up to YOU to listen or not, but it is STILL a right).

    NOW, here's a theory on WHY Mr. Obama is trying to VETO this from passing: My guess is that the reason the head of the IRS didn't lose her job is that she'd "spill the beans" on WHO gave her the "go-ahead" to pull her shit as she did (and his hair has turned grey from it this past quarter - now, there's a clue)... same with all the others like Clapper & Alexander.

    The rats WILL start eating the other rats when push comes to shove, just like in this video (i have to hand musicians 1 thing - they're generally intelligent & see things WAY in advance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfpgpf6QVnI&ob=av2n

    APK

    P.S.=> Folks - today, is THE day, where we find out just how "for the people & BY the people" our representatives in Congress are... apk

  5. Re:Right... by runeghost · · Score: 4, Informative

    The Director of the NSA has openly admitted he lied to Congress, and his punishment is... nothing. Not even harsh language, much less prosecution or losing his job.