In response to the articles in The Guardian and Washington Post which asserted that US government agencies are keeping a track of users’ data with the help of several top tech companies under a secret program, the Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper has claimed that reports related to the PRISM program “contained numerous inaccuracies.” According to Clapper, “Section 702 is a provision of FISA that is designed to facilitate the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning non-U.S. persons located outside the United States. It cannot be used to intentionally target any U.S. citizen, any other U.S. person, or anyone located within the United States.”
Adding to it the director of intelligence said that the leak was “reprehensible” and “risks important protections for the security of Americans.” Explaining it further, Clappers said that, Information collected under this program is among the most important and valuable foreign intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats.”
Here is the full statement from Clapper:
“DNI Statement on Activities Authorized Under Section 702 of FISA
The Guardian and The Washington Post articles refer to collection of communications pursuant to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. They contain numerous inaccuracies.
Section 702 is a provision of FISA that is designed to facilitate the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning non-U.S. persons located outside the United States. It cannot be used to intentionally target any U.S. citizen, any other U.S. person, or anyone located within the United States.
Activities authorized by Section 702 are subject to oversight by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the Executive Branch, and Congress. They involve extensive procedures, specifically approved by the court, to ensure that only non-U.S. persons outside the U.S. are targeted, and that minimize the acquisition, retention and dissemination of incidentally acquired information about U.S. persons.
Section 702 was recently reauthorized by Congress after extensive hearings and debate.
Information collected under this program is among the most important and valuable foreign intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats.
The unauthorized disclosure of information about this important and entirely legal program is reprehensible and risks important protections for the security of Americans.”
As expected Clapper’s statement was predictable because several questions regarding the reports in Washington Post and The Guardian are still unanswered. For instance only two companies denied that they do not provide users data to government agencies, whereas others said that they have not given direct access to user information.
Source: TNW
Photo: ThirdAge
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