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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."
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.
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
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
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.