NSA collects millions of text messages daily in 'untargeted' global sweep

[Newsjock]

Source: The Guardian

The National Security Agency has collected almost 200 million text messages a day from across the globe, using them to extract data including location, contact networks and credit card details, according to top-secret documents.

The untargeted collection and storage of SMS messages – including their contacts – is revealed in a joint investigation between the Guardian and the UK’s Channel 4 News based on material provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The documents also reveal the UK spy agency GCHQ has made use of the NSA database to search the metadata of “untargeted and unwarranted” communications belonging to people in the UK.

... The agency was also able to extract geolocation data from more than 76,000 text messages a day, including from “requests by people for route info” and “setting up meetings”. Other travel information was obtained from itinerary texts sent by travel companies, even including cancellations and delays to travel plans.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/16/nsa-collects-millions-text-messages-daily-untargeted-global-sweep?CMP=twt_gu

[LiberalFighter]

1. Need to have a national day to text the NSA with a message.

[BelgianMadCow]

2. Cross-posting to the sticky NSA thread

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/126917

[BelgianMadCow]

3. Kick on my way out

the difference in response here and at the Guardian is a little bit shocking.

[dipsydoodle]

4. UK spies snooping on texts, reveals latest Edward Snowden leak

Under US law, the American spies had to delete the data for its own citizens but texts coming to and from international mobile phones - including Britons, were fair game and could be spied upon at will.

On British soil, spy agencies can only access text message data of specific targets with permission under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), and if they want to see the content of the message they must get a warrant from a secretary of state.

By contrast Dishfire collects data on everyone so by accessing the system, British spies can pull off information they wouldn't be entitled to under strict British laws.

Communications giant Vodafone told Channel 4 News they were "shocked and surprised" by this potential for exploitaiton while former Interception Commissioner Sir Swinton Thomas said he would have been concerned about this kind of use of foreign intelligence agency data.

"What you're describing sounds concerning to us because the regime that we are required to comply with is very clear and we will only disclose information to governments where we are legally compelled to do so, won't go beyond the law and comply with due process," Stephen Deadman, group privacy officer and head of legal for privacy, security and content standards at Vodafone Group, told Channel 4 News.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/uk-spies-snooping-on-texts-reveals-latest-edward-snowden-leak-9065495.html

[OnyxCollie]

5. K&R. nt

[Indi Guy]

6. k & r

..and the hits just keep on comin'.