Slashdot Mirror
NSA Targeted 106,000 Foreigners In Spy Program Up For Renewal (bloomberg.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: The U.S. National Security Agency conducted targeted surveillance over the past year against 106,000 foreigners suspected of being involved in terrorism and other crimes, using powers granted in a controversial section of law that's set to expire at the end of this year. The number of foreigners targeted under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act rose from 94,000 in fiscal year 2015, according to U.S. intelligence officials, who asked not to be identified discussing the information. The program lets agencies collect the content of emails and other communications from suspected foreign criminals operating outside the U.S., but it has become a flash point with some lawmakers for potential infringement of Americans' constitutional rights. Congress has to decide by year-end whether to renew the NSA's power under Section 702, a program that came to light when former government contractor Edward Snowden revealed classified government documents in 2013. While the intelligence officials cautioned that changes would limit its effectiveness, lawmakers including Senate Intelligence Committee member Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, have indicated they'll seek adjustments to ensure against abuses.
What happened to Slashdot all day today??!!
because their current methods involve hoovering data illegally on the more than 325 million u.s. citizens who aren't the subject of these investigations.
Intelligence agencies exist to spy on foreigners. Why is this news?
1. It is not clear that only foreigners are targeted.
2. It is not clear if this program is cost effective.
The NSA is having difficulty coming up with any "success stories" that can be linked to this program. You might think that is because it is classified, so they don't want to disclose their successes, but that is not true. They can disclose information in closed door meetings of the oversight committee without compromising anything, but are still unable to do so. Secrecy can be used to protect national security, but it is used far more often to protect incompetence.
Intelligence agencies exist to spy on foreigners. Why is this news?
Because the systems, procedures, rules, laws, methods, and products they produce are only tangentially & marginally useful for preventing foreign-sourced terrorist attacks or catching foreign terrorists but are ideal for domestic spying for political ends, and recent revelations point to them being used for exactly that purpose contrary to law, Constitutional restrictions on government powers, and civil rights.
But other than that, no idea why it would be news.
Strat
Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.