F.B.I. Received Unauthorized E-Mail Access

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — A technical glitch gave the F.B.I. access to the e-mail messages from an entire computer network — perhaps hundreds of accounts or more — instead of simply the lone e-mail address that was approved by a secret intelligence court as part of a national security investigation, according to an internal report of the 2006 episode.

F.B.I. officials blamed an “apparent miscommunication” with the unnamed Internet provider, which mistakenly turned over all the e-mail from a small e-mail domain for which it served as host. The records were ultimately destroyed, officials said.

Bureau officials noticed a “surge” in the e-mail activity they were monitoring and realized that the provider had mistakenly set its filtering equipment to trap far more data than a judge had actually authorized.

The episode is an unusual example of what has become a regular if little-noticed occurrence, as American officials have expanded their technological tools: government officials, or the private companies they rely on for surveillance operations, sometimes foul up their instructions about what they can and cannot collect.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/washington/17fisa.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=d32fbd554765660c&ex=1360904400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1203191319-WqNtQpghd+T7X4qttxprkQ

[uppityperson]

1. but of COURSE they didn't read or scan any of them.

Once they realized there was a problem, of COURSE they IMMEDIATELY took action to respect the privacy of all those they'd gotten my "mistake".

(Is a sarcasm smiley really necessary here?)

[sarcasmo]

2. Make sure you delete your files daily. Every ISP will cave to the F.B.I.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

3. Yet, congress critters worry about limits on OUR access?

If (repeat IF) the FBI did this accidently (an agency with far FAR greater access to techie knowledge than most common folks), imagine what the DoD and CIA have done.

I don't believe the "accidental" assertion, though. Why the hell should I believe that? I don't believe it was an "unusual example", either. Why the hell should I believe that, either!

I believe this is just another CYA media-planted piece of propaganda.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Here's what I worry about since it's admitted this is a common occurrence

What would they do if they "accidentally" got their hands on something they felt they could use against someone? Would that information be destroyed and ignored as it should be by law?

Excellent point you made regarding the DoD and CIA by the way.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

7. What if the the capacity to abuse power exists?

Yes?

The Constitution was specifically written to PROTECT "THE PEOPLE" AGAINST human beings that have proven over history to be capable of abusing power.

Those most willing to abuse power are most furiously demanding the Constitution be ignored.

[texanshatingbush]

10. J Edgar Hoover made a long career out of doing just that n/t

[trthnd4jstc]

5. Can anyone say more Judicial involvement

My idea is to have more judges actively involved, an ombudsman to represent we the people, and clear and constant oversite by the legislature. We need to be able to prevent another terrorist attack, yet we need to maintain a sufficient level of checks and balances to protect ourselves from over-zealous law enforcement.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

9. More judicial and legislative oversight AND an ombudsman on behalf of "the people"?!!!!

DAYUM!!!

You are like,...TOTALLY PRO-DEMOCRACY, HUH?!!!! :hi: :patriot:

[Deny and Shred]

6. The NSA can already intercept any email, text, cell or phone

call through the Internet from any of the Telecoms who provided access. The splitters they use route it all. I imagine the FBI is more interested in communications involving non-terror related crimes, but with all the cronyism in the Administration, I'd be shocked if the NSA isn't using these powers for other purposes.

[FMArouet]

8. Not a Glitch, but a Feature

Ample evidence suggests that NSA has the tools to vacuum virtually all data crossing the Internet and public switched telecommuncations networks.

Surely the FBI can borrow or piggyback on such NSA tools and techniques for its own purposes.