A new report shows the National Security Agency's $100 million domestic phone surveillance program was mostly a waste.
According to the study by the Privacy and Watch Private Video Magazine 7Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), the NSA's program resulted in only one "significant" investigation between 2015 and 2019. It led to two new leads, and 13 leads the FBI already had, according to the New York Times.
The PCLOB is an independent board with members appointed by the president and approved by the U.S. Senate. Created by the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the board's main task is "to ensure that the federal government’s efforts to prevent terrorism are balanced with the need to protect privacy and civil liberties."
The findings were given to Congress on Tuesday, according to the Times, ahead of a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Wednesday. It's all part of the ongoing debate about whether or not to extend the 2015 USA Freedom Act, which is set to expire in March.
That act tweaked the surveillance program revealed in 2013 by whistleblower Edward Snowden. It limited the amount of data that could be collected and shifted the responsibility for data collection from the federal government to phone companies.
Almost a year ago, the NSA suspended the program and recommended ending it because, well, it was too unwieldy and expensive. And the newly reported information seems to back that assertion.
While the PCLOB study didn't reveal any specifics about that lone investigation, it did include a bit about the FBI's two leads, according to the Times: "Based on one report, F.B.I. vetted an individual, but, after vetting, determined that no further action was warranted. The second report provided unique information about a telephone number, previously known to U.S. authorities, which led to the opening of a foreign intelligence investigation."
SEE ALSO: Russian hackers are still going to be a huge problem for 2020 electionsThe report also referenced two acts of terrorism — the June 2016 Pulse club shooting in Orlando and the November 2016 machete attack on the campus of Ohio State — for which the NSA program provided information. It's unknown, however, if these incidents are related to the pair of unique leads the FBI obtained.
We've reached out to PCLOB for more information on the report, including if they'll make it publicly available.
In the meantime, the stage is set for a new battle between intelligence officials and the Trump White House. While the NSA has encouraged abandoning the program, the White House has encouraged Congress to extend the program so it can be resurrected in the future.
Topics Cybersecurity Privacy Politics
The White House might have inflated Trump's golf record, because this is how we live now
Porsche Taycan will have a built
Pictures of life
Woman burns 'It' clown doll after it floats into her backyard
Amazon Prime members gets 10% off Grubhub orders through Feb. 17
Obama 'Hope' artist has a brilliant new set of posters for inauguration
6 tips to get through Trump's inauguration week that have helped me
Nintendo isn't officially upgrading recently bought Switch consoles
The Ideal Smartphone for 2017
Man dancing his heart out instantly becomes the best new meme
NYT Connections hints and answers for February 5: Tips to solve 'Connections' #605.
How to choose a wedding website provider without losing your mind
'Pose' lines up another happy ending for its beautiful Season 2 finale
This giant and deeply terrifying hand sculpture is dividing the people of New Zealand
NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for February 11: Tips to solve Connections #141
Bangkok will hold its first gay pride parade in 11 years
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson named Forbes' highest paid actor of 2019
ClimaCell weather app features better accuracy and alerts—for a price
9 Tech Products That Were Too Early to Market
How comments about women's 'ambition' cost an ad exec his job
Apple's new MacBook Air features Touch ID, Magic Keyboard for $999How to clean and disinfect your filthy keyboard or laptopSerena Williams has a message for the creep who made 'racist' comments about her babyCoronavirus forces people battling addiction to get support onlineUniversal Pictures releasing current titles on VOD amid coronavirusEverything coming to (and going from) Netflix in April 2020Are your kids fans of 'Into the Spiderverse'? Get a voice note from Peter Parker.Want to share viral coronavirus content? Consider these expert tips first.Are your kids fans of 'Into the Spiderverse'? Get a voice note from Peter Parker.How to meditate during your coronavirus quarantine'Feel Good' brings the complex romOlympian shares touching moment she discovers she's won a medal 9 years later6 mindful eating lessons that will change your practiceIcelandic farmers discover 'unicorn' among their sheep'Cats' is the perfect movie to watch together while social distancingNetflix, YouTube to reduce streaming quality in the EUEverything coming to (and going from) Netflix in April 2020The best series to use as background noise while social distancingAre your kids fans of 'Into the Spiderverse'? Get a voice note from Peter Parker.PS5's audio is so advanced, you might have to take a test for it Pioneer John The Despotism of Isaias Afewerki From the Deep Forests and Seas of Yambaru Cinema Is Never on Time Life in the Fap Lane Past in Present Shortsighted Putsch It to the Limit One Big, Happy Family Hollow City Celtic Twilight Have You Forgotten Him? Everyone’s a Critic In Rocinante’s Stirrups Traveling While White Oozing Class Gay Liberation Failed Constantine Cavafy, Influencer Summer Freeze The Look of a Loser
3.0678s , 10137.21875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Watch Private Video Magazine 7】,Steady Information Network