I don’t have a problem with this if the data analysis stays strictly within the walls of the NSA where individual identities are automatically isolated and replaced with volatile, anonymous keys throughout the process of analysis. Suspect patterns of non-anonymous data would then require warrants prior to inter-agency exposure. Each cooperating company could provide the keyed anonymity ahead of time if necessary. The goal is threat determination.
It makes sense to analyze the information and determine patterns of aggression directed at the Constitution and its beneficiaries.
I tend to trust the defense agencies, but I believe the privilege of having uncommon access should be accompanied by uncommon consequences for Constitutional abuse and violations — something that wouldn’t be a problem for honorable, Constitutionally minded civil servants.
Not if the process takes away the fundamental freedoms that are the entire point of the Constitution.
But that said, information can help keep us free. Perhaps the NSA should be required to publish all communications to and from the government and all of its employees, with the same anonymity provisions you believe they have. After all, if the anonymity provisions really do mask the identities of the participants they shouldn't care about the release of the information should they?
But in reality there is no anonymity. The entire point of the surveillance is to build a database of information about citizens, and you can be sure NSA will be able to search by name, phone number, social security number, etc.
Gene, it's a fundamental abridgement of the 4th Amendment. It's inspection before the fact. A terrible, and unwarranted invasion of every American's privacy.
There's got to be a better way.