Call data records do not include content; that is, the actual voice interaction between the callers, SMS messaging, or any electronic exchanges between two human beings.
Via link analysis, these records are used to tip-off other, more intrusive means. More intrusive means require a FISA court approval from a domestic investigative entity if the subject is a US person. NSA does not have the authority to collect content at will and yes, it is strictly enforced. See EO 12333 (signed by President Reagan) and all the supporting law behind it.
NSA is not a law enforcement entity. They are a DoD organization required to follow POSSE COMITATUS. If they discover a threat to domestic interests, they pass it to Dept. of Justice who is by law authorized to act. If Dept. of Justice does not act, it is not NSA’a fault.
NSA has done great things in the defense of the Nation than many will ever know. They can not publicize successes at risk of tipping off bad guys on how they do their work.
This action plays into the hands of jihadists and others who wish ill to our country as well as to manipulate ignorant and/or misinformed civil libertarians. It should not be celebrated.
When a government is in power that is counter to your cherished beliefs, the NSA will be there to assist them. Better to dismantle it now than to risk a system of control the world has never seen before.
So we should just trust them? On what basis?
RRRRIIIIIIIIGHT
You can believe they don’t vacuum up everything and when they find something good maybe go to the Court to actually use it..
The LAW does not apply to this gov’t
NSA spying flap extends to contents of US phone calls
NSA Converting Our Spoken Words Into Searchable Text