The big schism on DU appears to be over exactly what we objected to about Bush

[TheKentuckian]

164. No, the access to the metadata is via dragnet "warrants".

A more specific warrant is then supposedly needed to get the content but the dragnet still applies to "metadata" and the actual collection of the data that allows them to "rewind" with the more specific warrant.

The first layer is bullshit and unconstitutional by definition.

The constitution ALWAYS applies to the US government, it has no basis to exist or act without it.
Further PRISM is phony in it's asserted mission since it plays by some unexplained 51% rule anyway.

As far as "metadata" belonging to the corporation, I'll chalk that to more absurd than the thinking that says "corporations are people, my friends", of course you may buy that as well. I consider the "metadata" collection no different than tailing me with out warrant or any rational suspicion. Not the same as bugging my home, car, or phone but definitely a violation of my privacy.

The phone carrier needs the data to do what I employ them to do, their rights to that data should end there and I 100% support codifying such limitations on them as well and making sharing such information beyond the needs of the customer benefit criminal and subject to civil award. Other uses should require compensation by law and a completely separate agreement to that of user rights and obligations.

Any data utilized for network shaping should be wholly blind (ie cannot be related to any individual user). Such and such switch was hit 121k times while another was hit 10 million times during X time period. There was _ amount of internet traffic at 9am on Mondays.

Nothing the NSA wants with our data impacts our service so it is not required to perform the service so they don't need it from my perspective, they want it for their purposes not mine and not the publics because the public is not allowed to know about it.

We have no way of knowing what rules are followed or for the most part what the rules are and how they are justified. Since it is done under cover of shadows, it is best to assume nothing good and get to the truth not just of what abuse is happening (to what exact degree) but just as importantly what is the potential for abuse even if folks are staying in line now.

I distrust the motives of the entire operation.