The History of NSA and FBI Snooping and Cyber-surveillance

1. When did NSA Surveillance start?
2. What is the NSA surveillance program?
3. Does the NSA still spy on us?
4. Does the NSA track my Internet activity?
5. Why wiretapping is unconstitutional?
6. Can the CIA spy on US citizens?
7. What is NSA surveillance used for?
8. What is the purpose of mass surveillance?
9. Can the NSA see me?
10. Can NSA listen to phone calls?
11. Can the NSA track Tor?
12. Does government monitor Internet searches?

When did NSA Surveillance start?

Congress did just that in 1978 when it passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), and many amendments and additions to it in the ensuing decades, including the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, to set the parameters of national security surveillance.

What is the NSA surveillance program?

PRISM is a code name for a program under which the United States National Security Agency (NSA) collects internet communications from various U.S. internet companies. The program is also known by the SIGAD US-984XN. ... PRISM began in 2007 in the wake of the passage of the Protect America Act under the Bush Administration.

Does the NSA still spy on us?

The NSA is the U.S. National Security Agency. Although it ostensibly works to protect U.S. citizens and interests, the NSA monitors every American and the people of many allied countries—all with the backing of the U.S. government and large portions of Congress. But it's not only the NSA spying on its own people.

Does the NSA track my Internet activity?

What does the NSA monitor? -- Metadata, which includes the records of several billion telephone calls made in the U.S. each day. ... It also monitors the online and phone calls of foreign citizens. -- Emails, instant messages and Facebook posts, as well as contact lists and raw Internet traffic.

Why wiretapping is unconstitutional?

United States case which overturned the Olmstead decision. The Katz decision (7-1) concluded that wiretaps and other types of electronic surveillance were unconstitutional because they violate an individual's right to be protected against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Can the CIA spy on US citizens?

A number of projects, some run by the NSA and some by the CIA, intercepted mail and electronic communications of US citizens in the United States. ... Through these programs, the CIA's Office of Security received information from US based informants regarding individuals and groups with anti-war views.

What is NSA surveillance used for?

In over two months of publications, it became clear that the NSA operates a complex web of spying programs which allow it to intercept internet and telephone conversations from over a billion users from dozens of countries around the world.

What is the purpose of mass surveillance?

Mass surveillance has often been cited as necessary to fight terrorism, prevent crime and social unrest, protect national security, and control the population.

Can the NSA see me?

Its advice, NSA says, is intended primarily for military and intel personnel—but all mobile users might find it useful. ... But, beyond apps, any connected radio signal can locate your phone.

Can NSA listen to phone calls?

Spy agency NSA triples collection of U.S. phone records: official report. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency collected 534 million records of phone calls and text messages of Americans last year, more than triple gathered in 2016, a U.S. intelligence agency report released on Friday said.

Can the NSA track Tor?

The NSA also tracks the IP address of anyone who simply visits the Tor web site, though it specifically avoids fingerprinting users believed to be located in Five Eyes countries-the spying partnership that includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US-from others.

Does government monitor Internet searches?

Right now, the government can collect web browsing and internet search history without a warrant under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. ... Under Section 215, the government can collect just about anything so long as it is relevant to an investigation. This can include the private records of innocent, law-abiding Americans.