Takeaway: This question doesn't have an easy answer, which is a big part of the problem.<\/p>\n
Actually, that isn't such an easy question to answer. Since 2001 - shortly after the September 11th attacks - the NSA has been running a program called the \"Presidents Surveillance Program,\" or simply \"The Program.\" <\/p>\n
If it sounds secretive, that's because it is: \"The Program\" is technically still classified. However, recent reports from various whistle blowers have brought awareness of this surveillance to the public. And that has people wondering just exactly what the NSA is doing, and what it means for the rest of us. Here we look at some of the answers. (Follow the privacy debate in real time on Twitter. Check out The Online Privacy Debate: Top Twitter Influencers to Follow.)<\/p>\n
But here's where things get iffy: The Program gathers data on millions of Americans, most of whom have never been and never will be connected to terrorism in any way. And, it says that it may collect those records and hold them for up to five years. It won't, however, be able to use that data unless there is a reason, such as a tip. In theory, it's one that would have to be certified by an attorney general before the NSA could dig into the data. Even so, according to an article by Marc Armbinder for TheWeek, this certification can come after the data has been used, which doesn't provide much assurance for those who are concerned their data may be mined without cause. (Read more about online privacy in Don't Look Now But Online Privacy May Be Gone for Good.)<\/p>\n
With emails, its generally believed that the agency is not reading them all. Instead, theyre data mining, or using analytical software that searches for possible terrorist activity patterns in keywords, financial transactions and travel records. Should I Be Worried? On the one hand, it's easy to say that the average American doesnt have anything to worry about in terms of the data the NSA is collecting. And yes, its highly unlikely that the NSA cares about the everyday secrets of ordinary U.S. citizens. <\/p>\n
On the other hand, a Bloomberg investigation did find that a few NSA contractors and employees had deliberately spied on Americans, overstepping the authority of The Program. These incidences have been very few and far between - about one per year over the past decade. It was later found to be cases of personal spying on the employees lovers. Even so, it is one strong example of why collecting personal data is problematic: It creates the potential for misuse. <\/p>\n
On a more general level, legality of the Program itself and the role of private communication in a free, democratic society is worth thinking about too. If a future administration comes to be led by a less scrupulous president, this mass surveillance could be used as a weapon. For example, it could be used to blackmail members of Congress or provide illicit political intelligence. <\/p>\n
So is the NSA spying on you? The answer is maybe. But then again, one of the biggest problems around the NSA debate is the lack of information about what the NSA's doing, and even what it's allowed to do. That because much of what the organization does is classified. Looks like someone still has a right to privacy after all. <\/p>\n
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