Monday, July 1, 2013

Details: How the NSA Eavesdrops on Americans

From Schneier on Security


Bruce Schneier

Two weeks ago, the Guardian published two Snowden documents; this and this . They outline how the NSA's data-collection procedures allow it to collect lots of data on Americans, and how the FISA court is failing to provide oversight.  As a result.
The documents are complicated, but I strongly recommend that people read both the Guardian analysis and the EFF analysis -- and possibly the USA Today story.
Frustratingly, the NSA over-reach is not the major news story being reported, and therefore most people don't know what it is all about. At this point, the only aspect in the news is the personal story about Snowden himself. The policy issues are apparently too complicated for the public to understand, or perhaps even for the press to understand, or perhaps it is yet another example of a press coverup to protect the government.  
What can be done about it?  If something isn't done soon, we all lose.

6 comments:

  1. One year later, perhaps this is relevant...

    http://tinyurl.com/q7ztjx7

    ReplyDelete
  2. It makes me nervous when I see Schumer, Leahy, and Durbin agreeing on something.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some things transcend politics (or should). It is unfortunate that we are in a time when each party must disagree on ANYTHING the other party proposes, good or bad. It is a dark day for democracy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Perhaps. I just feel compelled to read the fine print when I see certain politicians in agreement. I don't always have the time to read the fine print, and frankly those three have a reputation for not reading it either; "we need to pass this legislation so that we can find out what's in it."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sort of like starting a Health Care plan?

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's right. Anybody who signs legislation under circumstances like that doesn't deserve to be in office or to participate in any issue whatsoever. Regardless of how one feels about the fixability of that plan, their signatures are an automatic disqualifier.

    ReplyDelete