Keeping our personal information private is very important to many of us. But in today’s digital world, it’s hard to say we’re doing a great job of it. All of our information is online, either because we put it there or not. Of course, this information isn’t in immediate danger. After all, the companies that have our information and the government are supposed to protect it, right? Well, it seems that’s not always the case. An investigation shows that AT&T and the US government have been spying on millions of Americans for years. Here are the details…
Investigation reveals AT&T and US government have been spying on millions of Americans for years
In the pursuit of crime prevention and culprit identification, would you be bothered by phone tapping? After all, you haven’t committed any crimes, right? So, there’s nothing to worry about. This reasoning is often used by individuals and countries worldwide to justify civilian surveillance when it comes to fighting crime. It appears that the U.S. government is no exception, and it’s even partnering with AT&T, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, for this purpose.
The government’s partnership with AT&T has resulted in the Data Analytical Services or DAS, a telecommunications surveillance program. This program allows federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to access information from Americans’ phone calls. DAS is the largest telephone record collection program known to date, gathering over a trillion call records annually.
The DAS program receives funding from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, with over $6.1 million allocated since 2013. Notably, the program has faced scrutiny from Senator Ron Wyden and privacy advocates, who claim it infringes on Americans’ privacy rights and lacks legal authorization. Despite these challenges, the White House contends that the program is crucial for law enforcement efforts to investigate and prevent crime.
The program’s future is uncertain, with Senator Wyden introducing legislation to shut it down, though passage remains uncertain. The Biden administration is currently reviewing the program, and a decision about its continuation is pending. In the words of a memorable line from the TV series “Person of Interest,” it’s certain that, “you are being watched.”
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