Thursday, April 16, 2009

They Are Watching Us

In the land of the free, they are watching & listening to us.

N.S.A.’s Intercepts Exceed Limits Set by Congress

The National Security Agency intercepted private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the broad legal limits established by Congress last year, government officials said in recent interviews.

Several intelligence officials, as well as lawyers briefed about the matter, said the N.S.A. had been engaged in “overcollection” of domestic communications of Americans. They described the practice as significant and systemic, although one official said it was believed to have been unintentional.

The legal and operational problems surrounding the N.S.A.’s surveillance activities have come under scrutiny from the Obama administration, Congressional intelligence committees and a secret national security court, said the intelligence officials, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because N.S.A. activities are classified. Classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.

1 comment:

Lily Wyte said...

I hope the new administration holds them accountable. Not because I like to have an eye for an eye, but because people need to see justice at work again. If enough people become convinced that the law no longer works... I fear for us all.