Breaking: Obama to Call for End to N.S.A.’s Bulk Data Collection

[Hissyspit]

Source: New York Times

Obama to Call for End to N.S.A.’s Bulk Data Collection

By CHARLIE SAVAGE
March 24, 2014

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is preparing to unveil a legislative proposal to drastically overhaul the National Security Agency’s once-secret bulk phone records program.

Under the proposal, data about Americans’ calling habits would be kept in the hands of phone companies, which would not be required to retain the data for any longer than they normally would, according to senior administration officials. If approved by Congress, the changes would end the most controversial part of the bulk phone records program, a major focus of privacy concerns inside the United States since its existence was leaked last year.

In a speech in January, President Obama said he wanted to get the N.S.A. out of the business of collecting call records in bulk while preserving the program’s capabilities. He acknowledged, however, that there was no easy way to do so, and had instructed Justice Department and intelligence officials to come up with a plan by March 28 — Friday — when the current court order authorizing the program expires.

As part of the proposal, the administration has decided to renew the program as it currently exists for at least one more 90-day cycle, senior administration officials said. But under the plan the administration has developed and now advocates, the officials said, the government would no longer systematically collect and store records of calling data. Instead, it would obtain individual orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to obtain only records linked to phone numbers a judge agrees are likely tied to terrorism.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/us/obama-to-seek-nsa-curb-on-call-data.html

[yeoman6987]

1. Did he just mention this in Europe?

This is late breaking news. It is now about 3 am in Europe. I wonder how he discussed this. Perhaps the European leaders talked him in to it.

[leftyohiolib]

2. they arent gonna obey him

[grasswire]

3. yeah...

....and I expect there will be some weasel words in the legislation.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. What should he do? nt

[leftyohiolib]

11. what can he do

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. Uh.... I'm taking that to be a "nothing" nt

[pscot]

13. They're all executive hires

They serve at the pleasure of the President.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

17. Who's an executive hire? I'm confused. Are there servants somewhere? As in Downton Abbey? nt

[easychoice]

4. big deal,so what?

They get a good laugh?
In case you forgot he does what they tell him to-or else! Ask any Kennedy.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. So what should he do instead? nt

[lostincalifornia]

19. Interesting that no one seems to answer your question, they just have to make a negative comment.

It is really damn if you do, and damn if you don't for some.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

23. Because they're Naderites. Naderites are useless whiners with no ideas at all, that's why :)

OR they could be right wingers posing as DUers. That's always a possibility.

[easychoice]

25. good,more attacks- complete with no truth.

You don't know me from a fencepost and your foundation for judgement is totally sand on the beach.How nasty.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

26. No, it's no attack. It's fact. nt

[Mojorabbit]

39. I would call it an attack. nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

49. Naderites might consider attack, but it is FACT that (1) they ACCEPTED money from the GOP

(2) They ran for office someone they knew damned well would take some votes from the less educated Democrats, and result in a Repuke win; and,
(3) Their candidate said throughout the thing that he didn't give a flying F if he caused Repukes to win.

I call that some GREAT Republicans!

[dreamnightwind]

69. If you have a link for Nader or his campaign accepting money from thee GOP

I'd like to see it.

I've seen this claim before, yet when I read the article it was complete B.S. I'm not saying there is no such evidence out there, if you have it let's see it please.

[lostincalifornia]

30. Who knows, but one thing is certain, constant cynicism and negativity is a losing strategy. That is

not how we go forward

[Sarah Ibarruri]

31. Well, I know two things:

(1) There is no mystery about the fact that there are Republicans in DU, because later they post entire posts and conversations they had with us, back in their lairs (right wing websites)
(2) We've been down the Nader road before. We heard the optimism they expressed about how magically something would be resolved by voting for this individual who was going to lose. We saw the result. It was pure disaster. But clearly, they saw it as a great success! And now they're at it again. I think they might as well just switch parties and call themselves Republicans as well. Anyone who intentionally takes actions to put a Neo-Con into office, can he be anything but a Neo-Con?

[easychoice]

24. that wasn't a negative comment.

The truth is the truth,he does as he is told.
Thanks for attacking me personally too.I didn't invent the game we live by.

[lostincalifornia]

43. If you think that because I said some make negative comments a personal attack then do an alert on m

[AtheistCrusader]

5. Mixed emotions.

Hard not to be a cynic and just say 'oh, so they got the replacement method/system up and running already?'.

But at face value, a good move. Hopefully the right move, for the right reasons.

[Pholus]

6. Of course it sounds positive, but as usual it begs some questions...

I will entertain my theory -- that "bulk metadata collection" no longer needs to be done. Other sources probably provide the information in a more convenient and real-time sense.

[adirondacker]

14. Place "bulk metadata collection" on Facebook and Google it! ;) nt

[uhnope]

7. Obama has responded responsibly at every stage of this issue. ODS sufferers don't want to hear that

but it's true.

[JohnRogan]

15. What exactly is an ODS sufferer?

just wondering, havent heard that B4 now.

[Liberal Veteran]

21. Obama Derangement Syndrome.

It is a syndrome that affects a certain sector of the democratic party, but is endemic among republicans that cause them to disagree with anything Obama does or if he does something they wanted him to do, he didn't do it in the right way or timeframe to satisfy them.

[mac56]

22. Obama Derangement Syndrome.

An automatic discrediting and distrust of anything President Obama says or does.

Welcome to DU, by the way.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101670779

[JohnRogan]

36. Got it thank you! its the opposite of POIG Syndrome,

President Obama is GOD Syndrome. LOL

either extreme is equally distasteful IMO.

[frylock]

33. it's something that Charles Krauthammer made up to counter any criticism of dear leader..

now co-opted by The Very Serious People.

http://townhall.com/columnists/charleskrauthammer/2003/12/05/bush_derangement_syndrome/page/full

[Pholus]

54. I forgot that it was a Republican thang first.

Very eeeeenteresting....

[quadrature]

8. Obama is the chief executive.

what is the deal here?

President Obama could order this
with the stroke of a pen.

[tarheelsunc]

12. If he does that, he's "Tyrannical Dictator, Marxist-Fascist, His Majesty King Obama"

Of course, if he introduces a seemingly-responsible piece of legislation, he's "Weak, Ineffective, Mom Jeans-Wearing Wimp Obama", so he's really in the wrong either way.

[PSPS]

34. You're right.

No "legislative proposal" is required at all. Obama could stop this today with a stroke of his pen. The NSA operates under the Executive branch. Maybe the "constitutional scholar" forgot about that.

[Cha]

16. Thanks Obama.. You #%^ &&**(K(K))&^%%@!!!111

[lostincalifornia]

28. can anyone really see this happening under a republican administration? I sure don't. Gee, so the

President inherits a situation, and oh my instead of just "shooting at the hip", he analyzes the situation to determine the ramifications, risks, infringements, and such, then takes an action.

He did this for don't ask don't tell, and every other major issue he deals with, including the Chimera situation.

It is actually refreshing to see somebody who gives thought to something before acting

Gee, I guess that makes him "weak or indecisive" as some would say.

Some would say he would not have done this if Snowden hadn't exposed the NSA issues, however, do they remember after that happened, Obama said this should be debated and looked at, and he would start looking at it.

People really don't appreciate what they have, from the Lilly Ledbetter Act, the ACA, preventing a great depression, saving the U.S. auto industry, and so many other issues, unfortunately they most likely won't appreciate the accomplishments until years after he is out of office.

[Cha]

32. No the recons would double down. Great analysis, lostincalifornia. And, no.. they conveniently

don't remember this..

"Some would say he would not have done this if Snowden hadn't exposed the NSA issues, however, do they remember after that happened, Obama said this should be debated and looked at, and he would start looking at it."

[DCBob]

45. +1

[wildbilln864]

20. thanks again Mr. Snowden and...

president Obama.

[ozone_man]

27. Thank Snowden for this.

A step in the right direction. I would be more impressed if he got rid of that Utah facility, laid off half of the NSA. Isn't there something more positive that we can do with all this talent than spy?

[PSPS]

35. Until that Utah hard drive is gone, this isn't America.

[progressoid]

29. Well, that should fix it.

This snark is not directed at the President. It's just that the with 40,000 employees and an 11 billion dollar budget, I think they'll find a way to do what ever the fuck they want.

[JimDandy]

38. Yes. And of course they still have access to all that meta data via 5 eyes.

[eridani]

37. Time to flood the WH email with appreciation for this stand n/t

[Aerows]

40. I'm skeptical

But I am willing to remain neutral to see where this goes.

[joshcryer]

41. Haha, wouldn't be a problem if Obama didn't vote for immunity to begin with.

Christ this is pathetic. He voted for it to get elected (didn't want to look "weak" going up against McCain) and now he's proposing to draw it down. What a joke.

[Blue_Tires]

42. Good to see he's actually trying to get something done about the issue

unlike the blowhards in congress...

Of course, I won't hold my breath waiting for any praise from Greenwald, Snowden or Assange...All three of them will print 10,000 word screeds tomorrow explaining why Obama's reforms aren't enough and the whole charade will go full circle again...

[JustAnotherGen]

53. +1000

They never will - not Congress - and not the fame whores either.

[NOVA_Dem]

55. You would be wrong. From Greenwald today:

This new proposal would not, as some have tried to suggest, simply shift the program to telecoms. Telecoms – obviously – already have their customers’ phone records, and the key to any proposal is that it not expand the length of time they are required to retain those records (though telecoms only have their specific customers’ records, which means that – unlike the current NSA program – no one party would hold a comprehensive data base of all calls). As reported by Savage, Obama’s proposal does nothing to change how long telecoms keep these records (“the administration considered and rejected imposing a mandate on phone companies that they hold on to their customers’ calling records for a period longer than the 18 months that federal regulations already generally require”). That’s why, if enacted as he’s proposing it, Obama’s plan could actually end the NSA’s bulk collection program.

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/03/25/obamas-new-nsa-proposal-democratic-partisan-hackery/

[Blue_Tires]

58. Actually, I'm right because there is ZERO praise for Obama in that piece

All I see is damning with faint praise...

Greenwald's binary thinking means *anyone* who doesn't subscribe 100% to "The World According to Glenn Greenwald" is an enemy to be attacked...

Check Greenwald's twitter feed and see what his real thoughts are...

[NOVA_Dem]

59. Did you expect pompoms and cartwheels from someone who has just been vindicated?

Greenwald stated the President's proposal would actually end bulk phone records collection.

The President just threw the NSA defenders under the bus after they defended the indefensible for almost a year.

[Blue_Tires]

60. I just expected some straight fucking talk from him for once in his life

and Greenwald has been way too premature with his claims of "vindication" (and the credit doesn't even belong to his gloryseeking ass in the first place)...FWIW he already played his "vindication" card and "mission accomplished" banner back in December...

[phleshdef]

62. Greenwald is nothing but "pompoms and cartwheels" in honor of his own damn self.

[polynomial]

44. The powers that be know

There is a community service tacked on to this Metadata collection which can actually encourage basic liberty. Many times the general public awareness is an important element to solve issues, a fundamental to a Democracy and the Republic for which we stand.

Especially now with terrorism it is not hard to conceive that if everyone had access to metadata information its usefulness would be liken to the daily weather report.

Alerts in terror, crime, assault, and rape could be national and available to the citizen for distribution to have what can be called “safe studies”. Rather than have our corrupt media system pitch news for political favor just for the one percent, the citizen can develop and publish algorithm predictions or models that give advantage to being safe.

Actually, can you imagine “save liberty” coupled with healthcare for everyone as an industry is an incredible economic goal added to the American dream, now that would be a moment in history.

[Ash_F]

46. Finally. /nt

[Orsino]

47. I'm not optimistic, but calling for it beats not calling for it.

The question is: do enough Americans care to force Congress into action?

[Union Scribe]

48. That would be good in a number of ways.

The stance itself, a good start imo, followed by a ton of DUers who have told us for ages that the collection is no big deal completely reversing course and hailing Obama as savior of our privacy rights.

[NOVA_Dem]

57. I'm waiting for multiple threads of praise for the President for doing the right thing...

after arguing he didn't need to do anything and was correct in the first place.

Based on what is in the article I'm glad the President is taking this action. I'd prefer he'd just end it but this is step in the right direction.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

50. Thanks to those who applied pressure.

And thank you to President Obama.



I guess this must feel a little awkward for the authoritarian brigade.

[totodeinhere]

56. "NSA would gain access to cellphone records under Obama plan"

The National Security Agency would lose its authority to collect and hold years' worth of telephone calling records but gain access to cellphone information it currently lacks under an Obama administration proposal aimed at quieting controversy over the spy agency’s data archive.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-nsa-cellphone-records-20140325,0,4809178.story#ixzz2wzKnz0Ed

This looks more like a shell game to me. I am not impressed.

[questionseverything]

65. thx for that link

Ads by Google

By Ken Dilanian
March 25, 2014, 8:03 a.m.



WASHINGTON -- The National Security Agency would lose its authority to collect and hold years' worth of telephone calling records but gain access to cellphone information it currently lacks under an Obama administration proposal aimed at quieting controversy over the spy agency’s data archive.


The plan, which would need congressional approval, would significantly curb what has been the most controversial secret program revealed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Currently, the NSA collects most landline calling records and stores them for five years in a database that it periodically searches using telephone numbers connected to terrorists abroad.

The new proposal would end the NSA’s practice of holding the massive amounts of calling data. Administration officials hope that would assuage public concerns that an intelligence agency had access to information that could reveal deeply private information. Though the NSA does not obtain the contents of communications under the program, the ability to map a person’s communications with times, dates and numbers called can provide a window into someone's activities and connections.

But the compromise plan would also offer benefits for the NSA that might give privacy advocates pause. Most importantly, it would expand the universe of calling records the agency can access. After months of suggesting that they were collecting all the calling metadata, U.S. officials disclosed last month that a large segment of mobile phone calls were not covered by the program, and that as a result the NSA may only collect 30% of all call data in the country.

That revelation raised questions about the efficacy of the current program, said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), who proposed legislation in January that tracks closely with the White House proposal.

“This could actually make the program more efficient and more effective [and] at the same time more protective of civil liberties,” Schiff said.


Under the new arrangement, phone companies would be required to standardize their data and make it available on a continuously updated basis so the NSA could search it for terrorist connections. The NSA would have to obtain a court order for such a search, said an administration official who confirmed details of the program on condition of anonymity because it has not yet officially been released. The proposal was first reported Monday night by the New York Times.

The NSA would be allowed to search up to two “hops” of numbers connected to a known terrorist number, meaning all the numbers connected to the suspect number, and all the numbers connected to that first set of connections.

Gen. Keith Alexander, the NSA's director, who is retiring, has been lobbying members of Congress in favor of the compromise. He believes it is the best outcome the NSA could hope for with the program, the official said.


http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-nsa-cellphone-records-20140325,0,4809178.story#ixzz2x1Ik5OYj


//////////////////////////////

no mention of the emails, texting or nekid pics collection either but

I still see it as a good step that he is BEGINNING to talk about concerns

[dreamnightwind]

70. Thanks, doesn't look so great

Looks like they're after access to the 70% of calls they didn't have access to before.

[JoePhilly]

61. The perpetually disgruntled are already busy moving the goal posts.

You can see it through out the thread.

[GoneFishin]

63. I'll wait to see what is actually in the bill. I don't believe they will stop to abuse. Weasels. nt

[realFedUp]

64. Now.....Really?

Gads, I haven't posted in forever and of course we've seen convenient, a little too late decisions before but this is one of the most blatantly political and face-saving by this president. Does he really think the gov hasn't gathered so much personal data by now? Kinda like shutting the barn door after completely vacant.
Let's see some real positive changes, maybe in real time.
Oh, Obamacare is a good thing although the insurance and HMO's are overwhelmed and late to make the changes.

[passiveporcupine]

66. Thank you Snowden!

[blkmusclmachine]

67. Way too little, and way too late.

[Android3.14]

68. Where's the public oversight?

Then this is just Vaseline.