Report: NSA Buys Web Browsing Data Without Warrants

Report: NSA Buys Web Browsing Data Without Warrants
Image copyright: Win McNamee/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Intelligence agencies aren't indulging in intrusive or unchecked surveillance. The Pentagon adheres to high standards of privacy and civil liberties protections when buying Americans' data to address cyberwarfare, terrorism, and espionage threats. National security matters don't require US intelligence officials to obtain a court order or consent to buy, share, or use information that's also commercially available to private companies or individuals.

Establishment-critical narrative

The US intelligence agencies have been buying personal data of unsuspecting Americans for years, endangering the citizens by exposing their visits to sensitive locations, including domestic violence shelters. Violating Americans' privacy isn't just unethical but illegal. The federal government should stop funding and legitimizing a shady industry, outlaw the purchases, and end the contentious surveillance program immediately.

Metaculus Prediction


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