Unconstitutional surveilance programs?

[Jackalope]

Given Verizon's willingness to turn over call metadata, it would not be without precedent.

Metadata is still quite limited. That doesn't make the fact they gave it over any better, but still, it's far from what the PRISM program is claiming, which is effectively that the NSA have direct access to the infrastructure of these companies.

In fact, I'd say that the fact Verizon aren't (to our knowledge) giving over raw phone data, the PRISM program probably isn't as vast or as in depth as claimed.

Yes, metadata is somewhat limited - it doesn't give access to the content of communications, but does allow a lot of inferences based upon who talks to whom.

As for your second point, I've heard a lot of conflicting claims. I would find it hard to believe that they can monitor everything - but it would not surprise me in the least to learn they can monitor, on demand and without warrant, a very great deal.

Were they getting warrants on probable cause, I would not find the thought terribly disturbing.

[Jackalope]

Largely irrelevant, unfortunately.

With respect to its legitimacy obviously yeah, but I still find it shocking and concerning and so should Americans in my opinion.

A great many of us do. Problem is, what can we do about it?

[KichigaiNeko]

Read this morning that the US govt are a bit pissed off about the leak of this program

[Jackalope]

Read this morning that the US govt are a bit pissed off about the leak of this program

(Insert grumpy cat meme here)

[Minimalist]