This is downright scary right here (no this doesn't have anything to do with any political party).

http://www.informationweek.com/news/gov ... =221100260
and
http://gizmodo.com/5395095/the-nsa-to-s ... hery-stuff

So I'm wondering if a freedom of information act request could get the list of asshole networks that agree to peer with the NSA, or does the NSA just get to tap into fiber networks at their own discretion?

I used to think my time managing a petabyte of storage was impressive...their yottabyte makes me feel inadequate.
Does google even have a yottabyte?

Tin foil hat time for me.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

This is scary. It's been getting worse and worse since 9/11. Illegal wiretaps, Congressionally given immunity from prosecution... scary, scary shit.

EDIT: For some perspective, I've been in my current position just shy of 5 years. As part of my job, I process all our subpoenas requesting subscriber info. When I started, I was doing upwards of 15 of the infamous National Security Letters PER WEEK. The NSL is a warrantless request for information permitted by the Patriot Act. The FBI can ask any ISP to provide subscriber information at any time, for any reason. The ISP must oblige, and cannot even disclose the fact that they have received such a letter in the first place. This is part of the reason I don't tell anyone on the internet where I work.

They're constant fishing expeditions. There's NO WAY that they have legal reasons to send this many letters to us based on the size of our user base.

To be fair, the flood stopped about 8 months before the end of the Bush administration, and I recall seeing some press about how these programs were scaled back.

However, know this. As long as the Patriot Act allows for this type of thing, nothing you say on the internet is safe. The government CAN find out who you are if they want to do so.

You already knew about the secret NSA equipment closet at AT&T worldnet right?

http://www.wired.com/science/discoverie ... 6/04/70619
http://www.eff.org/issues/nsa-spying

At least the EFF is fighting the good fight.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I hear what you're saying Squanto...I was in a similar situation but I'll name names since the company no longer exists...
I was the head SA / storage / network guy for xdrive.com...we stored peoples personal data a lot of which was on our system for the precise reason that the user didn't want it to be found on their systems.

I would field 3-5 subpoenas or general requests a month from any number of governmental sources...Military, state department, FBI etc.
I found however, more often than not, these guys were spot on (but I had material data I could actually read, not just IP logs and things of that nature)
I assisted the Navy catch a sailor involved in some sort of spy ring where he was digitizing secret and top secret documents, putting them on xdrive and sharing them overseas (yeah, these people weren't too bright).
I also one time helped the FBI gain access to what I can only describe as the working data of an Islamic terrorist. Hundreds of pages or paramilitary training documents, manuals on how to construct 15 different types of bombs, manuals on how to conceal online activities, etc. (all written in Arabic).

Of course, all the requests I handled we're above the board and warrants or subpoenas were involved.

What the NSA is doing with this datacenter is scary scary shit.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I love how you internet loons rant and rave about Big Brother planning to impose a totalitarian regime that will obliterate our freedom. Clearly, you guys have just lost your minds and I am contemplating reporting you to the White House for spreading disinformation.

*There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to [email protected].

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Oh yeah. I have much respect for Mr. Klein for coming forward with this, and the EFF for sticking with it.

Im about ready to move to Canada... Who is with me?

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

if you didnt move after the the first 8 years of the decade, i cant imagine moving now.

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Crosscheck,

I just want you to know a few facts, before you pass judgement.
1. Yes that subpoena had my name on it.
2. No, it was not illegal to download those provacative picks of that baboon.
3. Yes, that is me in the dress and stockings (it was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it........)
4. It's only animal cruelty if the dog is NOT happy..........He seemed to love the peanut butter...

So in closing, I was innocent I tell ya, Innocent

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

The NSA is in your internets, reading your livejournal. My old college professor used to talk about how fucked up this is. It always made for an interesting discussion and nice way to waste 10 mins of class.

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All the things we wanted each other to be we'll never be.

Three words:

Well, fuck me.

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mechaphil

Based on your first two sentences, it appears the NSA was in search of someone suspected of treason and another of terrorism. Call me silly for wanting them to keep my ass safe

That's why I wear my toque all the time.

Toque. As in, I toque my hat and lined it with tinfoil.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Meanwhile, the NSA can deem anyone whatever they want because now that they're protected from any sort of litigation, they can do whatever the fuck they want to whoever they want by monitoring whatever they want.

Call me silly for wanting them to stay the fuck out of my business while they might be spying illegally (Oh wait, it really is fucking illegal).

EDIT: Oh shit, I can't believe I spelled they wrong.

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mechaphil

The NSA is all those people on FB you've listed as friends, but whom you've never actually met. Don't trust any Sabres Junkie peeps that have never attended a M-n-G either. Thayz not real dambit.

While we're at it, better pull out any teeth that have silver fillings

No, that was the Navy and the FBI independently.

I'm a big fan of law enforcement...I even usually give the benefit of the doubt to the CIA...but the NSA truly creeps me out.

Everything they do and all the money they spend is black.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I'm just busted ya' I don't know anything about this shit and I don't care. They can tap into any electronic device I own. I'm not doing anything that would endanger National Security. If listening to what I do is of interest to them, they must lead pretty boring lives.

If anyone would like to enlighten me on how the NSA is now protected from litigation, but yet breaking the law, I'd love to hear it. Like I said, I don't follow this stuff and I'm merely pointing out that I found the example xc used to be contradictory. ETA: I just saw xc's clarification. Sorry, I misunderstood it I guess. Actually, XC, that sounds really cool.

I am fascinated by the fact that most people are probably against terrorism, but yet don't want extra measures being used to prevent it.

Well, it ties back into the Patriot Act giving federal agencies unlimited powers to spy on citizens. Someone who pays more attention to this stuff correct or bolster my point.

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mechaphil

No, the patriot act doesn't do that at all really.
Mainly what it does is it loosens standards applied to FISA courts so not every single wiretap has to be approved by a judge before hand. Those surveillance measures are reviewed and evidence must be presented, but in an ongoing case officials wouldn't have to ask permission at every turn.
That's what people are talking about when they say "warrantless wiretap". However, the very powerful argument for that ability stems from the speed at which modern technology has overtaken our laws.
The FISA laws were written before cell phones, the internet, satellite phones, etc. etc.

It was a stop gap measure to try to get the good guys up to speed with the bad guys.

Now, how it has been used can be debated for sure.

Additionally, one great thing about the Patriot act is without periodic reauthorization, it goes away...so as long as it keeps getting voted back, you can blame our elected officials.

However
I can almost 100% guarantee you the NSA doesn't give a crap about what is or isn't written in the Patriot act.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Thanks for that, X.

And especially for the point about how it goes away if it doesn't get renewed.

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mechaphil