Facebook Patented Making NSA Data Handoffs Easier

theodp writes "In June, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg blasted 'outrageous press reports' about the PRISM surveillance program, denying that Facebook was ever 'part of any program to give the U.S. or any other government direct access to our servers.' What Zuckerberg didn't mention, and what the press overlooked, is that the USPTO granted Facebook a patent in May for its Automated Writ Response System. Like the NSA-enabling systems described by the NY Times on the same day Zuckerberg cried foul, the patent covers technical methods to more efficiently share the personal data of users with law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in response to lawful government requests via APIs and secured portals installed at company-controlled locations. 'While handing over data in response to a legitimate FISA request is a legal requirement,' the Times noted, 'making it easier for the government to get the information is not, which is why Twitter could decline to do so.'"

Comments

What an asshole

[Enter the Shoggoth]

'nuf said

Re:What an asshole

[GameboyRMH]

Let's not forget, this is the same guy who signed up for Google+ the day it launched and then closed his account because he "didn't want Google tracking him" or something like that.

He mocks the stupidity of the Average Joe right in front of their faces and they never catch on.

Legitimate FISA request

[Anonymous Coward]

legitimate FISA request

By their very nature they fail to be legitimate in my eyes.

Re:At least now we know the real Mark Zuckerberg .

[Mitreya]

... and I am glad I never waste any of my time in fb

Don't worry -- at least half a dozen of your friends are working hard to make sure you are not forgotten (posting and tagging fotos, marking "I know this person from..." questions, etc.)

To me, yes, it was ,,,

[Taco Cowboy]

At least now we know the real Mark Zuckerberg

This is a surprise to you... ?!

Yes, to me, it was

I have heard of the name of Mark Zuckerberg, I know that kid got brains

But I was not aware that he is such a pathetic liar

Now, at least I, and many others, know

And this also teaches me a lesson --- never assume anything --- I was assuming that a brainy fella like Mark Zuckerberg would appreciate the value of liberty

How wrong I was !

Last, but not least, I need to thank Edward Snowden for starting the ball rolling ... If not for Mr. Snowden, we wouldn't have known so much --- NSA / PRISM / and the latest episode ... Mark Zuckerberg

Re:Misleading title

[Sockatume]

If Facebook is getting so many writs for personal data that it has to automate the process, and the senders are creating so many that they need access via an API so they can send them programatically, I don't think you're talking about subpoenas in any more than the strictest technical sense.

Facebook and the CIA

[Anonymous Coward]

That's not very surprising, Facebook's strong ties to the CIA are well-known. In its early days companies very close to the CIA invested heavily into Facebook and some people likewise close to teh CIA are - or at least were, last time I looked - on Facebook's board of directors.

Re:At least now we know the real Mark Zuckerberg .

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

most people are boring as hell. Even the ones that think they're interesting.

However, the ones who are interesting tend to be pretty important to society. Guys like MLK, presidential candidates, potential supreme court nominees. Those sorts of people. When the government has access to their private communications it is just too easy to use that access to neuter any people who might challenge the current government.