Your thoughts on PRISM

[Deleted]

It recently came out that the NSA (US) is using a program called PRISM to data mine info on pretty much everyone across the globe.
Information they acquired trough spying: Over 97 Billion pieces of information, ranging from communication transcripts to Google searches.
Now the government claims they did not spy on American civilians (cause that would be against the constitution) but in the meantime, they also claim they can't be sure of all the ID's en whereabouts related to a communication transcript. Basically: They can't be sure that they never spied on American Civilians.

I'm curious about your stance on the fact that America thinks they can spy on whoever they please, and i'm also kind of curious why a topic about this has not been opened yet... But that's a whole different matter in it's own. Lets discuss PRISM and in-consensual espionage!

Do the means justify the end?
Is this a breach of Privacy?

Please refrain from derailing this to a "Obama & Romney" thread.

PRISM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(...lance_program)

[Deleted]

Wait, so if this thing is "everyone across the globe", why specify that they didn't spy on American civilians? That distinction is worrying

Because thats against the american constitution and would render the government acting against it's own believes thus making credibility flawed. Along those lines.

[Temp name]

I do not like this at all.
I like having my privacy.

[Deleted]

To be honest, I don't give a crap. People moan about "privacy" this and "privacy" that, but most of those people will have a facebook account, use pretty much all google services when they know full well that both sites are known for using your information for advertisements and research. That's invading your privacy right there. If you want to have some actual privacy online, you would most likely have to cut out 90% of what you do online.

And even if you make a case about how we are all entitled to it, so? Are you googling how to make a nuke? planning attacks? Chances are your browser history, your recent emails and everything else shared online, is pretty common between billions of people, your net history doesn't make you special. There's a pretty common saying online now-a-days. "If you didn't want the nudes to be shared, you shouldn't have taken the pictures". Same applies to all information you type in online.

That said, should they be doing this? No they shouldn't, but should we care to the point that every time I open a website, turn on the radio/TV or look in a newspaper, I see something about PRISM, no we shouldn't. Shit like this has been going on for many many years, and it will continue to go on for many years, if you don't like it, the internet is the last place you should think about hanging out.

[Raidboss]

Doesn't really bother me at all. If the government would like to watch me surf youtube, twitch, mmo-champion, and various other sites then feel free. If them seeing what I google prevents the next 9/11, Boston bombing, Columbine, or Cumbria then feel free. I know that what I'm doing is clean and legal so I got no beef. This is the new age of detective work. Instead of some dectective following you around with a camera taking pictures and documenting everything you do now they look at your digital foot prints.

[Detheavn]

Because thats against the american constitution and would render the government acting against it's own believes thus making credibility flawed. Along those lines.

So either the constitution is flawed, or we're dealing with some serious hypocrites here?
Doesn't that make it wrong either way?

[Deleted]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

[Zogarth]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

A nice balance would be good.

[Rapti]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

Privacy, always.

[Deleted]

Privacy, always.

That's right, I would rather the government not see what porn sites I've been on, to people being killed in terrorist attacks. Priorities...

[zoefschildpad]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

I felt secure until I found out the US government had access to my private data even though I've never been to the US and am not subject to US law.

[HeroZero]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

Privacy. I'll take my chances with my own security.

[Deleted]

Privacy. I'll take my chances with my own security.

Going to foil terrorists plots that would affect you then? Cool.

[HeroZero]

Going to foil terrorists plots that would affect you then? Cool.

Why of course I will.

[Deleted]

Well, what do you want? Privacy or security?

Privacy all the way, look at Turkey right now they have the power to censor the TV Channels just think about what power would they have if they knew everything about what citzens ( they plans, their next move etc ), no riots , no opinions , censoring everything and you can't do anything because they know everything.

Saying that 'I don't really care about this because I have nothing to hide' is sad...you will care eventually but only when it's too late.

Knowledge is the power and in the hands of corrupt governments is deadly. Don't get me wrong I take security very seriously but I would never give away my privacy for their 'security' as they call it.

[kynthrus]

I felt secure until I found out the US government had access to my private data even though I've never been to the US and am not subject to US law.

You can rest assured knowing they are looking specifically at you, and ONLY YOU. Get a grip, they don't give a damn about your information.

[Deleted]

Privacy all the way, look at Turkey right now they have the power to censor the TV Channels just think about what power would they have if they knew everything about what citzens ( they plans, their next move etc ), no riots , no opinions , censoring everything and you can't do anything because they know everything.

Knowledge is the power and in the hands of corrupt governments is deadly. Don't get me wrong I take security very seriously but I would never give away my privacy for their 'security' as they call it.

Your take on the Turkish riots is very delusional. They are not some covert ops team sneaking around taking out high profile government targets. They are simply people that are pissed about the current situation, all that takes is a look out the window to see, you going to tell me the gov can board up every window in the country to keep people from knowing what is going on outside? Blocking twitter, facebook does not work. Look what happened in Egypt. Did shutting down the internet stop the riots? No it didn't. it fueled them.

Saying that 'I don't really care about this because I have nothing to hide' is sad...you will care eventually but only when it's too late.

This made me chuckle a little. To late to what? explain to my parents about the shifty sites I once visited? That one nasty comment I posted to a guy I didn't like? Jail time incoming.

If them getting everyones information can help :-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ce-reveal.html

Then please, continue to collect everyone information.

[Raidboss]

Privacy all the way, look at Turkey right now they have the power to censor the TV Channels just think about what power would they have if they knew everything about what citzens ( they plans, their next move etc ), no riots , no opinions , censoring everything and you can't do anything because they know everything.

Saying that 'I don't really care about this because I have nothing to hide' is sad...you will care eventually but only when it's too late.

Knowledge is the power and in the hands of corrupt governments is deadly. Don't get me wrong I take security very seriously but I would never give away my privacy for their 'security' as they call it.

It's not sad because I'm not doing anything wrong so I really don't care. If the government is so corrupt why don't you and a bunch of your buddies get together and over throw it? Then you can be as secure as you'd like.

[Ailerist]

That's right, I would rather the government not see what porn sites I've been on, to people being killed in terrorist attacks. Priorities...

The government has no buisness ever looking at what you look at. Why? Because it's against the constitution to spy on you. The reason why our government has such a hard time catching terrorists or had a hard time catching bin laden for example is that they do not rely on electronic or digital means to communicate. This is fucking scary. Im not sure if our generation here is either to naive or complacent to understand the recent move in washington, but it is scary. This last decade in particular has given us the NDAA, surveilance drones on american soil, many broad spectrum bills which have had the room for massive and egregious misuse (IE sopa, Cispa) and a ever growing infringement on our right to bear arms never mind the patriot act. If you know anything about history, then you should recognize why this is scary. There is absolutely no need for PRISM, none whatsoever and this particular program should be shut down immediately. Call your senator's and congressmen and voice your opposition to this
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
http://www.senate.gov/reference/comm...t_senators.htm

[anveena]

As long as it isn't being done on American citizens I couldn't careless about it. Although I have extreme doubts that they're only targeting only foreigners.