Minutes of Use (MOU): 2.321 trillion; June 2011: 2.251 trillion (3 percent increase)

[whatthehey]

15. Everyone concerned with privacy is focusing on the wrong math

So we know, and have for some time, that they can store calls if they wish; what do they do with them? Privacy is not violated by hard drives. A server cannot intrude on you personally any more than your toaster can blackmail you. So let's look at those 2.3T minutes and turn them into staffing needs to listen and analyze.

38.7B hours give or take means that at 40 hrs/week no breaks no vacations no other tasks just listning you would need 18,597,000 full time Agent Mikes. I know the black budget is large but it ain't that large and unemployment would be a crapload lower if the NSA had that payroll. How many listeners do they have? Divide your guess into that number and that's the very exaggerated topside risk you have of actually suffering a loss of privacy.

Now imagine yourself an NSA boss and decide what tiny fraction of voice traffic you are going to focus on. Would it be DUers or people with suspicious travel to Pakistan and a sudden urge to learn civil engineering say?