Target or Not, the NSA is Storing the Metadata of Millions

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/30-3



New report directly contradicts claims by Obama that the NSA only stores information from people who are specifically targeted

Target or Not, the NSA is Storing the Metadata of Millions
Published on Monday, September 30, 2013 by Common Dreams
Target or Not, the NSA is Storing the Metadata of Millions
- Sarah Lazare, staff writer

The NSA is recording the online metadata of millions of people—whether or not they are on the NSA target list—and dumping it into a repository where it is stored and searchable for up to a year, the Guardian revealed Monday citing documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

This new revelation directly contradicts claims by President Obama that the NSA only stores information from people who are specifically targeted.

Online metadata—which includes nearly every online activity, from browser history to email activity—is dumped by the NSA into a database codenamed Marina, internal NSA documents reveal. This data is then stored for up to a year. Guardian journalist James Ball reports:

"The Marina metadata application tracks a user's browser experience, gathers contact information/content and develops summaries of target," the analysts' guide explains. "This tool offers the ability to export the data in a variety of formats, as well as create various charts to assist in pattern-of-life development."