stopprism:

We need to #stopPRISM and #restorethefourth

You stop one program, 5 more will pop up in its place over the course of a couple years. This doesn’t take into consideration the long list of other privacy destroying bills that have already passed and have long since been forgotten.

stopprism:

Google disclosed Wednesday that it uses secure FTP servers and occasionally in-person delivery when it complies to National Security Agency requests for user information.

“When required to comply with these requests, we deliver that information to the U.S. government — generally through secure FTP transfers and in person,” Google spokesperson Chris Gaither said in an e-mail. “The U.S. government does not have the ability to pull that data directly from our servers or network.”

Well, that’s damn interesting because:

Federal law currently prohibits the disclosure of any information about requests made under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and permission to report even aggregate statistics about such requests would require an unprecedented declassification of national security information, USA TODAY reported Tuesday.

So, technically, they committed a felonious act by telling the general public how they deliver information to the FEDs? Why the double standard? Why is Larry Page not publicly besmirched for releasing that small amount of information like our Snowden?

Well they didn’t mention any request made. They just mentioned that they comply with the NSA and they informed the public how exactly they comply. But asking Google to reveal that information, knowing full well they’re legally not allowed to tell you, is a bit unfair.

But it’s highly unlikely that information is delivered via courier and personal delivery. I’m sure there is some secure FTP connection where they can pull the data from. The question comes down to: Who initiates this connection? Does Google put temporary data on the FTP account to allow the government to grab a copy? Or does the NSA just have carte blanche access to any data that it desires? Because the government’s actions are shrouded in secrecy (a fundamental component of a police state), then we will never know who’s really cooperating voluntarily with the government. Essentially, the government has turned these technological companies (for lack of a better word) like gmail, apple, att, microsoft, into a collective network of spies who are not bound by the Constitution. And if these companies come out and say anything, although many support it, they’ll be harassed, robbed, and possibly imprisoned. But if they keep their mouth shut, they may just get government hand-outs and exclusionary permissions for other services in the future, or perhaps a seat at the table on the next corporate tax restructuring. It’s one big circle-jerk.

priceofliberty:

stopprism:

Yesterday, the Guardian released a comprehensive poll showing widespread concern about NSA spying. Two-thirds of Americans think the NSA’s role should be reviewed. The poll also showed Americans demanding accountability and more information from public officials—two key points of our recently launched stopwatching.us campaign.

But there’s more. So far, Gallup has one of the better-worded questions, finding that 53% of Americans disapprove of the NSA spying. A CBS poll also showed that a majority—at 58%—of Americans disapprove of the government “collecting phone records of ordinary Americans.” And Rasmussen—though sometimes known for push polling—also recently conducted a poll showing that 59% of Americans are opposed to the current NSA spying.

The only poll showing less than a majority on the side of government overreach was Pew Research Center, which asked Americans whether it was acceptable that the NSA obtained “secret court orders to track the calls of millions of Americans to investigate terrorism.” Pew reported that 56% of Americans said it was “acceptable.” But the question is poorly worded. It doesn’t mention the widespread, dragnet nature of the spying. It also neglects to describe the “information” being given—metadata, which is far more sensitive and can provide far more information than just the ability to “track the calls” of Americans. And it was conducted early on in the scandal, before it was revealed that the NSA doesn’t even have to obtain court orders to search already collected information.

Despite the aggregate numbers, many of the polls took place at the same time Americans were finding out new facts about the program. More questions must be asked. And if history is any indication, the American people will be finding out much more. Indeed, just today the Guardian reported that its working on a whole new series with even more NSA revelations about spying.

One thing is definitely clear: the American public is demanding answers and needs more information. That’s why Congress must create a special investigatory committee to reveal the full extent of the programs. Democracy demands it. Go here to take action.

Oh how surprising, people don’t like being spied on?

Yeah, but that’s only for the moment because it’s in the spotlight. Here in about a month, it will become normalized and people will stop caring. It’s the bi-product of a system designed against the citizenry. Watch this video: http://beatyourselfup.com/post/52883726312/the-transformation-of-society