Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NSA: We Mulled Ending Phone Program Before Edward Snowden Leaks

Posted by samzenpus on from the we-meant-to-do-that dept.

Mark Wilson writes Edward Snowden is heralded as both a hero and villain. A privacy vigilante and a traitor. It just depends who you ask. The revelations he made about the NSA's surveillance programs have completely changed the face of online security, and changed the way everyone looks at the internet and privacy. But just before the whistle was blown, it seems that the NSA was considering bringing its telephone data collection program to an end. Intelligence officials were, behind the scenes, questioning whether the benefits of gathering counter-terrorism information justified the colossal costs involved. Then Snowden went public and essentially forced the agency's hand.

4 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Sure you did.. by infolation · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was contemplating ending my burglary career, but one of my accomplices grassed me up to the cops. So I sent the lads after him, and then decided my illegal housebreaking spree must continue with renewed vigour.

    The moral? Snitches get stitches.

  2. I mulled laying off soda before I got fat. by hey! · · Score: 5, Funny

    I also mulled laying off gambling before I went broke.

    Therefore I am, morally speaking, thin and rich.

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  3. But Then We Said "Nahhhh!" by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bro-fisted, chest-bumped and laughed our asses off! I mean, stop doing what we do best? That'll be the day.

  4. Clapper's Girlfriend by Tokolosh · · Score: 4, Funny

    "He promised he wouldn't cum in my mouth! Promised!"

    --
    Prove anything by multiplying Huge Number times Tiny Number