Report: NSA has domestic phone call database

Reuters ^ | 5/11/2006 | Reuters

[tobyhill]

WASHINGTON - The agency in charge of a domestic spying program has been secretly collecting phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, including calls made within the United States, USA Today reported on Thursday.

It said the National Security Agency has been building up the database using records provided by three major phone companies -- AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. -- but that the program “does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations.”

[tobyhill]

Sounds more like the world's largest caller-id.

[Semper Paratus]

The database goes back to the '90s.

[Mo1]

Sounds more like the liberals are trying to make an issue for the Hayden hearings

[P-40]

I have a large database of phone numbers. The phone company gives me a new copy once a year. Leaves it right at my door.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

OH THE HORROR - THIS IS THE BIG ONE ELIZABETH!

[longtermmemmory]

ARE THEY STUPID?

Attorneys have been subpoenaing phone call records for DECADES!!!!!

Cell phone companies keep these numbers for billing.

THIS IS NOT NEWS EXCEPT TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE STONE AGE AND DON"T KNOW ABOUT THIS INTERNET THING...

[Tarpon]

Connections, we need connections.

Wonder what the lefty wackos will say when the next attack comes. Here is a hint ... Why didn't we connect the dots.

[silverleaf]

I have a large database of phone numbers. The phone company gives me a new copy once a year. Leaves it right at my door.

Priceless.

[tobyhill]

Love the timing. Lindsey Graham was on Fox talking about how concerned he is. If he's that concerned I expect him to request his office no longer have caller-id which I know they do.

[Lazamataz]

I have a large database of phone numbers. The phone company gives me a new copy once a year. Leaves it right at my door.

Revealing this classified information to the public is a criminal offense.

You will report to the Bethesda naval station for debriefing immediately. Report to Colonel Meeough, Wac at 0730 2006-05-15.

[Grendel9]

I feel left out! Don't they
care about us Comcast users?

[Ramius]

Well of course they do. They have to look up where a phone number goes... somehow. It's a simple reverse directory. It's just a re-sortable phonebook.

Does somebody seriously have a problem with this?

[navysealdad]

Senator Lindsey Graham was on Fox this morning saying he was quite concered and troubled!!

[mlc9852]

So you're okay with the government having all this information on citizens without any probable cause or warrants?

[Peach]

I haven't read the article; does it state the database goes back to the 90's? This would be important to remind the leftist trolls who will show up here.

[Raycpa]

Phone call records are not the same as directory listings. Why does the Gov't need to amass call records?

[Republican Red]

Isn't this also know in technical language as a "PHONE BOOK"?

I didn't know I had super secret clearance because I have a few phone books, some even go back years.

[Grendel9]

Methinks he should only
have concern if he's
logged calls to the
Near East. Actually,
with some of the info
being revealed about
a few of our politicians,
we SHOULD have tracers
on their contacts!

[santorumlite]

they are looking for patterns, like multiple calls to arab countries back and forth.

I am so tired of this bs.

If you are an american president you are more popular if you do nothing.

If you try and stop the enemy you get crucified.

[IGOTMINE]

DING DING DING!

That was the first thing that struck me, too.