Arrr! A clandestine telephonic surveillance be keepin' tabs on millions o' landlubber Yanks!
2023-11-25
Arr, ye scurvy dogs be listenin'! A secretive scheme be afoot, gatherin' an' scrutinin' ye private phone scrolls. Be knowin' it as Domestic Analytical Services, aye!
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, imagine a scenario where someone is eavesdropping on every phone call you make and recording your conversations. They also keep track of who you're talking to, when, where, and for how long. But it doesn't stop there, matey!This be the reality for millions of Americans usin' AT&T's phone network. They be participatin' in a surveillance program called Data Analytical Services (DAS), run by AT&T in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. DAS collects and analyzes over a trillion domestic phone records each year. They use a technique called chain analysis to not only target individuals directly connected to criminal suspects but also anyone these individuals have been in contact with. Innocent folks with no ties to any crimes can have their records swept up and scrutinized.
This program raises serious concerns about privacy and civil liberties. It operates without judicial oversight or public accountability, violatin' the Fourth Amendment. It also goes against the USA Freedom Act, which aimed to reform bulk collection of phone records by the NSA.
The extent and secrecy of the DAS program are astounding. It has been in operation for over a decade and has received funding from the White House. AT&T has cooperated voluntarily, even trainin' law enforcement on how to use the program. The program's funding has been stopped and resumed multiple times by different administrations.
Challenges to the DAS program have come from lawmakers, activists, lawsuits, and public records requests. However, the program has evaded or resisted these efforts by claimin' trade secrets and law enforcement privileges.
To protect yerself from phone surveillance, ye can use encryption for yer calls, but it won't protect metadata like phone numbers and locations. Usin' alternative communication methods or privacy tools and practices may also help, but they aren't foolproof.
In conclusion, the DAS program be a massive and secretive violation of privacy and civil rights. It lacks transparency and necessary safeguards against abuse. The Department of Justice should investigate and provide public information about the program's scope and outcome.