Obama’s NSA overhaul may require phone carriers to store more data

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/03/obamas-nsa-overhaul-may-require-phone-carriers-to-store-more-data/



Obama’s NSA overhaul may require phone carriers to store more data
By Reuters
Thursday, April 3, 2014 18:27 EDT
By Mark Hosenball and Alina Selyukh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s plan for overhauling the National Security Agency’s phone surveillance program could force carriers to collect and store customer data that they are not now legally obliged to keep, according to U.S. officials.

One complication arises from the popularity of flat-rate or unlimited calling plans, which are used by the vast majority of Americans.

While the Federal Communications Commission requires phone companies to retain for 18 months records on “toll” or long-distance calls, the rule’s application is vague for subscribers of unlimited phone plans because they do not get billed for individual calls.

That could change if the Obama administration pushes through with a proposal to require carriers – instead of the NSA – to collect and store phone metadata, which includes dialed numbers and call lengths but not the content of conversations. Under the administration’s proposal, the phone companies would be required to turn over the data to the NSA in response to a court-approved government request.

[snappyturtle]

1. So much for trimming back the surveillance. Our national security efforts are

going to choke the hell out of the people. imho

[Wilms]

2. ^