White House Releases Report Calling for Major Changes in NSA Programs

Recommends shutting down NSA domestic metadata collection
US News • Views: 18,303

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Here’s a good backgrounder on the report released today by the White House that proposes reforms to the National Security Agency, from NPR’s All Things Considered: White House Releases Report on NSA Surveillance Program.

The most important recommendations:

  • The NSA would cease its programs that collect telephone metadata of US citizens, and instead require telecom companies to store the data.
  • Querying this stored data would require a much more specific and stringent legal procedure.

The White House has already signaled they won’t adopt one of the other major recommendations — that the NSA be headed by a civilian instead of a military commander.

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44 comments
1 Targetpractice  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:38:28pm

They seem like perfectly reasonable changes…which is why the dudebros will almost certainly oppose them/declare they’re “not enough.”

2 Charles Johnson  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:39:21pm

Greenwald was just on CNN, doing a victory dance.

3 Pie-onist Overlord  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:41:14pm

Are we going to see episodes of NCIS and “Criminals Minds” where McGee & Nellie & Penelope are like all “Nuh uh, not goin’ all up in there without a warrant!”

4 Charles Johnson  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:41:42pm

I totally support the changes I enumerated above, by the way. If nothing else good comes out of this sordid mess, at least we’re now starting to treat electronic metadata as a serious privacy issue.

5 EPR-radar  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:41:55pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

Greenwald was just on CNN, doing a victory dance.

I would be content if GG were to follow up on this declaration of victory by going home (i.e., shutting up). He really is getting to be insufferable.

6 Targetpractice  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:42:51pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

Greenwald was just on CNN, doing a victory dance.

But let me guess, even though these changes have been acknowledged, he promises to “fight on.”

7 Pie-onist Overlord  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:43:49pm

Isn’t there like a Christian cable network (or more than one) and so why can’t they broadcast Duck Dynasty?

8 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:44:26pm

Charles, sorry about OT but we upgraded that lens I talked about earlier. Bought through your link…
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Almost 600 mm on my cameras with the APS C sensor. I think the next moon photo will be a tad sharper than last time.


9 CuriousLurker  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:46:37pm

re: #5 EPR-radar

Getting insufferable? He’s wayyyy past it, AFAIC. He’s one of those people, like Sarah Palin, that I cannot abide watching on TV for more than 30 seconds.

10 Charles Johnson  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:48:08pm

re: #8 Political Atheist

Charles, sorry about OT but we upgraded that lens I talked about earlier. Bought through your link…
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Almost 600 mm on my cameras with the APS C sensor. I think the next moon photo will be a tad sharper than last time.

[Embedded image]

Awesome lens, dude!

11 CuriousLurker  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:48:09pm

re: #8 Political Atheist

Charles, sorry about OT but we upgraded that lens I talked about earlier. Bought through your link…
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Almost 600 mm on my cameras with the APS C sensor. I think the next moon photo will be a tad sharper than last time.

[Embedded image]

*turns green with envy* I hate you. //

12 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:48:17pm

Gotta say I’m fine with a military commander at NSA, love the idea of the phone companies keeping data until needed. More oversight, more daylight, civilian advocate at FISA all great by me.

13 EPR-radar  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:48:29pm

re: #9 CuriousLurker

Getting insufferable? He’s wayyyy past it, AFAIC. He’s one of those people, like Sarah Palin, that I cannot abide watching on TV for more than 30 seconds.

That was a deliberate understatement. GG was sometimes capable of generating an interesting column in the Bush years, but that was a long time ago…

14 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:49:23pm

re: #11 CuriousLurker

Saved up all year for her on this one. Hopefully D_L will let me borrow it from time to time. :-)

15 EPR-radar  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:49:30pm

re: #8 Political Atheist

“It’s true your Honor. This lens has no camera.”

16 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:50:15pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Thanks. My first “L” lens.

17 AlexRogan  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:52:47pm

re: #8 Political Atheist

Charles, sorry about OT but we upgraded that lens I talked about earlier. Bought through your link…
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Almost 600 mm on my cameras with the APS C sensor. I think the next moon photo will be a tad sharper than last time.

[Embedded image]

Going for the sports photographer look?

///

18 Charles Johnson  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:52:51pm

re: #16 Political Atheist

Thanks. My first “L” lens.

That’s some serious glass. Treat it with utmost reverence.

19 EPR-radar  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:53:17pm

re: #12 Political Atheist

Gotta say I’m fine with a military commander at NSA, love the idea of the phone companies keeping data until needed. More oversight, more daylight, civilian advocate at FISA all great by me.

Me too. It looks like this may end up being a case of the US coming up with something like the right answer after exhaustively trying out inferior options.

20 austin_blue  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:55:05pm

These changes are part of O-bummers Ebil Plan to fool the ‘Murican Sheepul into a false sense of security.

Obviously.

21 Skip Intro  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:55:21pm

The wife of the Great God Reagan disproves the Megyn Kelly/Bill O’Reilly Santa Claus Hypothesis.

22 Amory Blaine  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:55:24pm

I could see Putin from my porch with that camera. His eyes would be closed of course.

23 BishopX  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:55:45pm

re: #12 Political Atheist

I’d really like cyber-security to be separated from the offensive operations stuff. It would really increase trust in the nuts-and bolts of security that the NSA advises the rest of the world on.

Historically they’ve actually been helpful about strengthening some standards. but now that they’re so publicly charged with gaining access to other peoples systems, a lot of that trust is going away.

24 CuriousLurker  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:56:03pm

re: #14 Political Atheist

Saved up all year for her on this one. Hopefully D_L will let me borrow it from time to time. :-)

I just got 2 new lenses today and have the Canon EF 12 II Extension Tube & some other stuff due here tomorrow.

Congrats on your first L! I doubt I’ll ever spend that kind of money on a lens, not when it’s basically just a hobby.

25 CuriousLurker  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 5:59:30pm

Okay, I think my new lenses are warmed up enough to unbox them, so I’m gonna go do that and register them.

Have a great night, everyone.

26 dog philosopher  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:01:55pm

re: #21 Skip Intro

The wife of the Great God Reagan disproves the Megyn Kelly/Bill O’Reilly Santa Claus Hypothesis.

[Embedded image]

proof that - historically - nancy reagan has secretly been santa’s wife the whole time

and is also an elf

27 Backwoods_Sleuth  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:02:25pm

Got the woodstove going good, a “new” book on my ereader (Gila Lustiger’s “The Inventory”) and doggies & kittehs saying it’s time to get comfy and snuggle for a bit before sleep.
Laterz, lizardz!

28 GeneJockey  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:03:54pm

re: #9 CuriousLurker

Getting insufferable? He’s wayyyy past it, AFAIC. He’s one of those people, like Sarah Palin, that I cannot abide watching on TV for more than 30 seconds.

Palin’s one of those that has me scrambling for the mute button when she starts yammering.

29 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:05:16pm

re: #24 CuriousLurker

I just got 2 new lenses today and have the Canon EF 12 II Extension Tube & some other stuff due here tomorrow.

Congrats on your first L! I doubt I’ll ever spend that kind of money on a lens, not when it’s basically just a hobby.

Thanks much. Wow cool deal. I do have this consumer 70-200 Canon lens. Now it superfluous to us. If a very inexpensive telephoto would round out your new collection drop me a line.

30 Stoatly  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:05:22pm

Well, I’m feeling a little inadequate in the, ahem, equipment department now

31 dog philosopher  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:06:11pm

The most important recommendations

would tend to re-distribute the data more according to historical standards, where companies accumulate tons of data about their customers, which is already kind of creepy, but it is kept separate from the government unless regular subpoena procedures are followed

or anyway it sounds like that

32 wrenchwench  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:06:32pm

Later, lizards.

33 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:06:57pm

re: #30 Stoatly

Well, I’m feeling a little inadequate in the, ahem, equipment department now

[Embedded image][Embedded image]

It’s all about how well you use it!~

And you are doing well.

34 Targetpractice  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:10:43pm

re: #32 wrenchwench

[Embedded image]

Later, lizards.

Monkey see, monkey do.

35 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:23:26pm
36 lawhawk  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:26:18pm

re: #8 Political Atheist

That’s some serious hardware. I’m with Charles on treating it with care and protection.

That lens will run circles around the mirror 800mm I have, which is manual focus and f8. You should be able to get some truly spectacular wildlife shots.

That, and a few other lenses would make up my improved kit had I won the lottery (or one of the larger non jackpot prizes).

37 lawhawk  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:30:00pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

This actually saves the NSA a bunch on hardware/software costs. It’s now on the telcos to preserve the data and if the NSA needs it, they’ll issue warrants for it.

But don’t think for a moment that the NSA wont be trying to maximize its search capabilities using other means, like going after telcos overseas to build out their capabilities, which can be shared in-kind with our allies, who are likely to do the same to us under tightly controlled parameters.

38 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:34:38pm

Boohoo! Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity are Angry that Liberals Associate Them with Republicans

Up is Down, Down is Up.

I need some of what Alice drunk.

39 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 6:38:08pm

re: #36 lawhawk

Yes, wildlife like those seabirds D_L likes to get after. No seagull is going to fly away with a 7D, tripod and that lens! For our pro work this gets us in great shape for work as still photographers on film sets. Sit way back out of every ones way and the actors eye line. Get those shots they need for continuity and back story stuff. I detest those paparazzi guys but it reaches way out and gets the shot.

40 RealityBasedSteve  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 7:07:19pm

re: #39 Political Atheist

Yes, wildlife like those seabirds D_L likes to get after. No seagull is going to fly away with a 7D, tripod and that lens! For our pro work this gets us in great shape for work as still photographers on film sets. Sit way back out of every ones way and the actors eye line. Get those shots they need for continuity and back story stuff. I detest those paparazzi guys but it reaches way out and gets the shot.

Well, what about a flock of seagulls working in unison. They each grab some bit of the rig and I bet if you had enough gulls they could fly away with it.

RBS

41 Political Atheist  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 7:11:20pm

re: #30 Stoatly

Well, I’m feeling a little inadequate in the, ahem, equipment department now

[Embedded image][Embedded image]

Really like the lower image. Color, texture. aspect ratio.

42 Randall Gross  Wed, Dec 18, 2013 8:41:32pm

also suffering from lens envy…

43 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Dec 19, 2013 2:49:52am

re: #4 Charles Johnson

I totally support the changes I enumerated above, by the way. If nothing else good comes out of this sordid mess, at least we’re now starting to treat electronic metadata as a serious privacy issue.

Now if only corporations would.

44 Ace-o-aces  Thu, Dec 19, 2013 10:09:32am

re: #21 Skip Intro

The ‘80’s were weird…


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