Link - http://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-reverses-ruling-that-found-nsa-program-illegal/
Date- 8/28/2015
Summary - A federal appeals court, in a somewhat surprising move, overwhelmingly reversed a lower appeals court decision in May that said the NSA Surveillance Program was excessive. The NSA program was created following 9/11, but the extent of phone collection was unclear until Edward Snowden's revelations in 2013 that the NSA collected the phone numbers of all calls made and received as well as the length of each call. In 2013, a US District Judge ruled that collection was likely unconstitutional but allowed the program to continue while under appellate review. The DC Circuit is the highest appeals court and all three of its judges spoke negatively of the case. One judge said the government wouldn't provide the necessary information to help the challenge to the program while another judge said the challengers needed to show they were targeted by the surveillance program.
This decision is especially interesting because Congress passed a law in June that phases out the bulk collection of phone records by the NSA, even though the FISA (double secret classified court) court claimed the USA Patriot Act of 2001 allowed the program. The new law from Congress requires phone companies to keep all phone records and allows the government to search the records without any warrant. Any further judicial decisions are irrelevant as the program shifts according to the new law, however, big brother will be collecting all phone records until then.
Question (s) - Do you know what the NSA does? Are you willing to give up some freedoms in order to have more security? Is the mass collection of phone records worthwhile?
The NSA is supposed to secure domestic tranquility. I don't have anything to really hide, although I do believe it is a violation of freedom. I just don't think they should be able to use it unless they have urgency. Maybe they should require something like a warrant. But, if it will keep people safe, I don't mind them seeing who we call and the call length. It will probably be worthwhile since phones can hold a lot of evidence.
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ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a part of the US government is responsible for global monitoring, collecting, and processing of information and date. It's main duty is to protect the US government's communication and information systems from possible hackers/network warfare. In the recent years, the NSA been charged for invading citizen's privacy by tracking citizen's through their phones. The NSA claims that their tracking is lawful and does not intentionally collect information in bulk.
ReplyDeleteI believe that security is very important but I am only willing to give up some privacy. For example, I am not willing to give up my right to be searched without a warrant. A mass collection of phone records is worthwhile because it can hold a lot of evidence that could help secure the safety of people.
DeleteThe NSA is focused on protecting US national security systems and to collect intelligence on foreign nations. I am willing to give up some freedom for security. I don't do anything that would put me under scrutiny of the government. Although I don't mind what the NSA does, I might argue that it is a waste of government money. The mass collection of phone records may not be worth the amount of money it takes to amass that collection.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is the National Security Agency. They are responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of info for foreign intelligence (otherwise known as signals intelligence- SIGINT). In response to the second question, personally, it depends on what freedoms I would have to give up in order to have more security. If I had to give up my freedom of privacy, in order to get more security I would not do it. I feel like giving the government access to my private life is the opposite of security. While mass collection of phone records may seem a bit on the shady side, I believe for security purposes and for the general well-being of the public this act is acceptable and worthwhile. Allowing the government to have access to this information (as long as it remains private to the public) would allow the govt to take greater precautions for our safety.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA a division of the government which is responsible for collecting information pertaining to the security of the United States. Lately the NSA has been criticized for the collection of telephone records on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. I personally do not mind if my phone records are gathered since it really does not affect me and that I have no phone conversations that would be important to national security. It seems cumbersome for the government to collect all of the phone records due to the massive amount of resources required to collect all of this information.
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ReplyDeleteIn response to the questions, the NSA is a spying organization similar to the FBI and is under government jurisdiction. While the American people do want security, I believe the majority do not want to give up their freedoms for more of it. And on the subject of the mass phone records, I believe these are fairly un-worthwhile, as there is little point to keeping the conversations of the entire American public, considering 99% of all conversations are harmless, and usually meant to be private.
ReplyDeleteNSA, stands for the National Security Agency who's purpose is globally monitor, collect and process information for foreign and counter intelligence purposes. I personally am willing to give up certain freedoms as long as the infringement on my natural freedoms is used solely for my protection and general well being. Although the mass of phone records seem to be pretty extensive, I do believe they are worthwhile to monitor and be used as proof and reference points for serious threats or potential threats. Yet, these phone records should not be available to the general public or to prosecute certain individuals, only for the protection of the United States and its people.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is an intelligence organization responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. I personally am not willing to give up my freedoms in order for security purposes. I do not think it is right at all for the government to know all my personal details when I never gave permission to have these looked at. The mass collection of phone records in NOT necessary at all. However if someone is considered suspicious of something, I think it is okay to do more investigation but on normal people, I believe it is an invasion of our privacy and takes away from our freedom. It is disturbing to know that our own government is spying on us for their own selfish reasons.
ReplyDelete- The NSA monitors, collects, and analyzes global data and information for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes.
ReplyDelete- Personally, I am not willing to give up more freedoms for more security in the nation. I don't like the fact that the government can see everything that everyone does in the country, especially because the people are purposed to have privacy, yet the government is violating that by documents everyone's phone calls, search history, purchases, and more.
- The mass collection of phone records is not necessary, because again, it is violating our right to privacy. However, if there is suspicious activity pertaining to one person, I believe it is okay for the government to then look into that person's information, due to the fact that they believe this person could be engaging in illegal activity. Other than that, people's data and information should not be seen by the government.
The NSA is an intelligence organization responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. I personally am not willing to give up my freedoms in order for security purposes. I do not think it is right at all for the government to know all my personal details when I never gave permission to have these looked at. The mass collection of phone records in NOT necessary at all. However if someone is considered suspicious of something, I think it is okay to do more investigation but on normal people, I believe it is an invasion of our privacy and takes away from our freedom. It is disturbing to know that our own government is spying on us for their own selfish reasons.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to realize that while people are arguing that the government has no right to collect their data, and is actually violating their rights by collecting it, they do in fact have the right. As it discusses in Movant's brief addressing effect of § 109 of USA Freedom Act, the FISC re-authorized the government to acquire this data in the 12th of December 2008. They authorized this on the basis of counter terrorism intelligence. Their reasoning was because it is "The only effective means by which NSA analysts are able to continuously to keep track of all affiliates of one of the aforementioned entities(terrorist groups)."
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is an association that is supposed to protect the American security system and to protect the communications throughout government. I would give up some freedoms to get more security because I want my personal transactions and communications protected. To collect a mass amounts of phone calls can be useful because it can help solve cases and/or help with security purposes. Although it may be expensive to collect the calls, it seems to be worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is tasked with seeking out potential domestic threats to the people's and government's safety. I agree with the appellate court on its reversal, as the NSA does have the right to collect phone records because of the Patriot Act. If it improves our personal safety, I'm fine with the NSA's surveillance, since in this day and age there are all sorts of dangers trying to bring harm to the U.S..
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is an organization that has been collecting data on our phone records through asking major service providers, that were already collecting this data, to transfer their data to them for keeping in government databases (see NSA prism). The giving up of personal freedoms for the feeling of security in a chaotic world is not worth it because if we are living through fear we aren't living at all. Our founding father Benjamin Franklin had this to say and I feel it's as relevant as ever "those who give up liberty for security deserve neither".
ReplyDeleteThe NSA was formed in 1952 by President Truman as an update of a classified organization founded during the war which collected and deciphered enemy communications. Its secretive nature stayed with it for some time, even being referred to as "No Such Agency." Fast-Forwarding to the present it is not a new thing that the NSA has been tracing and analyzing communications of American citizens. However, in the past, these were solely on various individuals who the agency felt possibly presented a threat, like Anti-war Vietnam activists and liberal politicians. Its modern activities are much vaster in the total amount of communications they capture and store, but also, as revealed by Snowden, it spies on people all over the world. With the help of advanced technology, there is hardly any information that escapes the NSA.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a government intelligence organization which is meant to regulate the safety of our country by global monitoring. The NSA could play a larger part in some criminal cases. I don't have a need to hide anything but I do believe that it isn't technically constitutional however i also believe that it could play a bigger part in solving crimes or planning against some terrorist attacks. The idea makes sense but it could be improved. For example the mass collection of phone calls seems like a extreme, and could be used more carefully.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am appreciative of the goals established by Snowden to reveal government wrong doings toward the people, I also understand the opposing side- If the individual is "doing nothing wrong", the additional security will not be harmful. The NSA is responsible for the national security of the United States, particularly again external terror organizations. Over the past years, Edward Snowden, a previous NSA employee, has famously released a plethora of classified government information to the people. The documents released emphasize violations in the judicial system (actions taken without due process) to collect information from American citizens. Personally, I value security slightly more than freedom, particularly if the methods of security are secretive enough to remain hidden from the general public for years. "Innocence is bliss", particularly if it ensures the safety of the United States while not distinctly indicating the wrong doings. There is no question, in my mind, that the NSA's actions are not moral, but I don't necessarily believe Snowden was right to reveal them either. In general, I believe the collection of communication records can be very useful to make sure of individual security.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a government intelligence organization which is meant to regulate the safety of our country by global monitoring. The NSA could play a larger part in some criminal cases. I don't have a need to hide anything but I do believe that it isn't technically constitutional however i also believe that it could play a bigger part in solving crimes or planning against some terrorist attacks. The idea makes sense but it could be improved. For example the mass collection of phone calls seems like a extreme, and could be used more carefully.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am appreciative of the goals established by Snowden to reveal government wrong doings toward the people, I also understand the opposing side- If the individual is "doing nothing wrong", the additional security will not be harmful. The NSA is responsible for the national security of the United States, particularly again external terror organizations. Over the past years, Edward Snowden, a previous NSA employee, has famously released a plethora of classified government information to the people. The documents released emphasize violations in the judicial system (actions taken without due process) to collect information from American citizens. Personally, I value security slightly more than freedom, particularly if the methods of security are secretive enough to remain hidden from the general public for years. "Innocence is bliss", particularly if it ensures the safety of the United States while not distinctly indicating the wrong doings. There is no question, in my mind, that the NSA's actions are not moral, but I don't necessarily believe Snowden was right to reveal them either. In general, I believe the collection of communication records can be very useful to make sure of individual security.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, which involves a significant amount of crypt-analysis. It is also responsible for protecting U.S. government communications and information systems from similar agencies elsewhere, which involves a significant amount of cryptography. No, my personal liberties should always be intact. The amount of security that is given to me by my country should not restrict my freedoms. Instead, it should reinforce and complement my freedoms. If the security of my democratic country is restricting my liberties then there is too much security. The mass collection of phone records could be worthwhile. The only reason it wouldn't be is if it was being over analyzed or the NSA was spending too much time on the data.
ReplyDeleteThe National Security Agency has the responsibility to protect and give security to the citizens of the United States. Following the aftermath of 9/11, together as an entire country, we became paranoid and wanted a sense of protection from possible future threats. Although having the safety we desire and hope for is important, the means of which that goal is achieved can be questionable. Having the NSA monitor and collect our phone calls violates our freedom and intrudes on our privacy. John Adams once explained that "a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever”.
ReplyDeleteinteresting thoughts, i like the background for the NSA and how it includes why it is important and relevant.
Deleteinteresting thoughts, i like the background for the NSA and how it includes why it is important and relevant.
DeleteThe NSA is the National Security Agency. It was constructed post 9/11 and was intended to make sure the people of America are safe and not susceptible to any harm from terrorists. Although I do not believe in limiting the rights of the people, I think in some aspects it would be beneficial for the country because of its effectiveness in finding terrorists or people that threaten the U.S. The mass of phone records is not really worthwhile. However, it can bring in very important information and make it easier to find connections and links to different people.
ReplyDeleteThe National Security Agency is responsible for monitoring and collecting global information that could potentially affect the safety of our country. Giving up one's freedoms can be a complex issue for many times one is unaware of the rights they give the government when they do so. I personally would not give up my personal freedoms without knowledge of the extent in which the government can monitor and interpret my personal information. Furthermore, I believe that one must have clear, documented motives and reasons for monitoring one's phone calls which should in turn be reviewed by a larger audience before the information is gathered.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your mentioning of how complex and complicated giving up one's freedom for security can be, which is very true. I also agree that being informed on when and why we are documented is important .
DeleteThe NSA for the American people and govt serves as a big spider web, for instance whenever anyone makes a call, txt, or tweet the NSA is immediately collecting it. Apple does the same thing but most people are too subconscious to notice, imessage is a great example of what the government is doing, they ask you to use there service...Apple being (imessage) and the NSA benig (phone call,txt,internet,post) u use, and then everything ever sent or received, even posted on the internet or social media is collected and sent to big severs where the information is stored and used if needed. Yes this benefits the people by protecting them from terrorism, and fraud. But what this is doing is just putting all of this personal information into a big place where possibly it could be hacked or even leaked, resulting in violating peoples privacy and trust in the govt. Another thing negatively effecting the govt from this, is economically and financially, its not cheap to store and collect all this information.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a relatively new government organization that's purpose is to protect the American people. They lawfully collect phone information under the Patriot Act of 2001. This was created to protect America from Terrorism. I believe it is fine for now while there is danger in the world but the goal is to get to a point in which the NSA is not needed and then it can go away.
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ReplyDeleteThe National Security Agency is responsible to monitor & collect information globally for the security of our country. I, personally, don't mind if the government have my information because I don't believe I am doing anything wrong that they can put against me and if it will help the government secure the country more... go ahead. However, they are using this system for the wrong reasons and not finding anyone that is of threat. I think collecting all these phone records for one possible threat is a waste of time where the government can be redirecting that time doing something more beneficial.
ReplyDeleteFrom my knowledge, I know that the NSA gets the phone calls from the service providers and they have control over cameras all over the U.S. I am willing to give up my freedoms so people of this county and have to right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a National Security Agency for the United States of America. They monitor communications between the US and globally through phone calls, internet, etc.. America is based on freedom, so I do not agree with giving up my freedoms for extra security. In a TED talk Edward Snowden explained that the NSA security programs have not actually stopped any terrorist attacks or interferences with our country. Therefore, we are giving up our freedom for nothing. The Government should not be able to access citizen's private phone call lists because it restricts rights and is unconstitutional. Also, the NSA claims they only collect the numbers and length of the calls. This information is pretty much useless because the conversations are not recorded and should not ever be. Collecting numbers and minutes is not worthwhile. A citizen's private information should not be accessed for no reason whenever the NSA chooses to.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA was created after the events that happened on 9/11. The decision to collect the phone numbers of all calls made and received was due to threats made on the the USA. I believe that sacrificing some freedoms for security is necessary however I do not believe the NSA needs to have a mass of phone records.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is a provider of national security, and part of what it does is monitors phone calls nationally. The NSA derives most if powers to deal with terrorism from the patriot act of 2001 following 9/11. Even though the patriot act provides the NSA with powers that some may see as excessive in terms of phone records, the protection they provide is worth the encroachment on privacy simply because no one has the resources to track every aspect of every call so the only people that are getting caught by the NSA are the people they are looking for (threats to U.S)
ReplyDeleteNSA stands for the National Security Agency. The NSA is a government organization that is in charge of globally monitoring, collecting and processing information for foreign intelligence purposes. As long as I am still entitled to my basic liberties and rights, I wouldn't mind sacrificing minor freedoms for more national security. However, I believe the mass collection of phone calls is a waste of time, as most phone calls are irrelevant and not threatening to the US government. If there were a computer system that picked up on certain words in phone calls, notified the government, and then allowed for the NSA to listen in, it would be a much more efficient, rather than listening to hundreds of private phone calls and not finding any useful information.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is supposedly necessary for the maintaining of national security. The NSA was allowed to monitor phone calls, but a whistle blower recently revealed that the organization actually had the power to collect the numbers and lengths of all phone conversations. I think some freedoms should be given up to maintain security, but there needs to be a distinct line. Certain freedoms are inalienable, and our personal privacy should not be jeopardized. The mass collection of phone records is not worthwhile. There have been no significant benefits from this program, and public sentiment itself heavily resists the NSA.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA is the national security agency for the U.S. and the NSA is supposed to provide the citizens of the United States with protection. After 9/11 we as a country have gotten more scared of terrorist attacks and the NSA is here to make sure that we are safe. I would give up certain freedoms to ensure my safety. After all the NSA was created to keep us safe, and they are just doing their jobs. A mass collection of phone records could be worthwhile if they were scanning for certain patterns, even texting records with certain words that seem suspicious.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA (National Security Agency) is responsible for the monitoring of foreign intelligence and national information for the overall security of the nation. Personally, I think that to be protected by the government, we have to comply with their regulations and monitoring. I think that the mass collection of phone records can be worthwhile, as it helps inform the government if there is unusual activity. Since Snowden leaked the information, the government has admitted to keeping these phone logs, but also makes it clear that they do not monitor the contents of the calls. As this does not violate too much privacy, I feel that it can be helpful while also respecting privacy.
ReplyDeleteThe NSA (National Security Agency) is responsible for the monitoring of foreign intelligence and national information for the overall security of the nation. Personally, I think that to be protected by the government, we have to comply with their regulations and monitoring. I think that the mass collection of phone records can be worthwhile, as it helps inform the government if there is unusual activity. Since Snowden leaked the information, the government has admitted to keeping these phone logs, but also makes it clear that they do not monitor the contents of the calls. As this does not violate too much privacy, I feel that it can be helpful while also respecting privacy.
ReplyDeleteThe national security agency (NSA) has the ability to monitor the United States through seemingly personal acts like phone calls. We do not know the full extent of what the NSA does but we know that the program was created to ensure the security of the nation after 9/11. I am personally willing to allow the NSA to tap into my privacy because I have nothing to hide, but I can assume that some people do not want the government seeing what they do on their phones. I have no evidence to show whether the collection of phone records has worked but I believe that they could be useful in a time of crisis.
ReplyDelete