Is The NSA Listening To American Phone Calls?

 

NSA Spying Flap Extends To Contents Of U.S. Phone Calls -- CNet 

National Security Agency discloses in secret Capitol Hill briefing that thousands of analysts can listen to domestic phone calls. That authorization appears to extend to e-mail and text messages too.

The National Security Agency has acknowledged in a new classified briefing that it does not need court authorization to listen to domestic phone calls, a participant said.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, disclosed on Thursday that during a secret briefing to members of Congress, he was told that the contents of a phone call could be accessed "simply based on an analyst deciding that." If the NSA wants "to listen to the phone," an analyst's decision is sufficient, without any other legal authorization required, Nadler said he learned.

"I was rather startled," said Nadler, an attorney and congressman who serves on the House Judiciary committee.  

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Update: The chairman of the House intelligence committee strongly asserted on Sunday that the National Security Agency is not recording Americans’ phone calls under U.S. surveillance programs, and any statements suggesting differently amount to “misinformation.” The White House has been saying the same thing. As for Presdient Obama himself .... he will be commenting on the NSA surveillance program in the coming days. As to what is my take .... after the IRS scandal Benghazi, seizing and monitoring phone records of reports, Fast and Furious, etc. .... I am now deeply skeptical of anything and everything that Washington says .... equally from Republicans and Democrats.  

Update: NSA probed fewer than 300 phone numbers in 2012 -- report -- CNet