METADATA IS MORE INTRUSIVE! REPEAT: METADATA IS MORE INTRUSIVE!

[JDPriestly]

46. Sorting through the conversations would be too time and labor

consuming. It would even be more expensive than the current program is. They get the phone numbers, link them like an org chart and then get more information on numbers and the people who have the numbers with a proper subpoena. It's tricky.

I think they are skirting legality and probably violating the Constitution. A scheme like that will freeze freedom of the press and association and chill speech and other rights.

Watergate could not have been reported had this system existed at that time. Of course, back then there were pay phones that permitted people to make anonymous calls.

Maybe the solution is to bring back pay phones. But then they could put cameras up and photograph everyone who goes into the pay phone booth. After all, pay phones are in public places usually.