SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
As The Guardian reports, the news is "the first explicit confirmation that UK citizens have been caught up in US mass surveillance programs."
According to the leaks provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, in 2007 NSA rules were changed following an agreement with the GCHQ, allowing the NSA agency to collect "British citizens' mobile phone and fax numbers, emails and IP addresses swept up by its dragnet," the Guardian reports--data that had been previously been protected and "stripped out of NSA databases" by the GHCQ.
The UK paper reports:
An NSA memo describes how in 2007 an agreement was reached that allowed the agency to "unmask" and hold on to personal data about Britons that had previously been off limits.
The memo, published in a joint investigation by the Guardian and Britain's Channel 4 News, says the material is being put in databases where it can be made available to other members of the US intelligence and military community.
Britain and the US are the main two partners in the 'Five-Eyes' intelligence-sharing alliance, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Until now, it had been generally understood that the citizens of each country were protected from surveillance by any of the others.
The report also reveals a leaked draft derective from 2005 wherein the NSA drafted policies that would allow its staff to spy on citizens in countries included in the "Five-Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance--including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada--despite instances where the partner countries had denied permission to do so.
It was unclear at the time of reporting whether or not this draft policy has become official. A spokeswoman for the NSA declined to answer questions from The Guardian.
_______________________
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
As The Guardian reports, the news is "the first explicit confirmation that UK citizens have been caught up in US mass surveillance programs."
According to the leaks provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, in 2007 NSA rules were changed following an agreement with the GCHQ, allowing the NSA agency to collect "British citizens' mobile phone and fax numbers, emails and IP addresses swept up by its dragnet," the Guardian reports--data that had been previously been protected and "stripped out of NSA databases" by the GHCQ.
The UK paper reports:
An NSA memo describes how in 2007 an agreement was reached that allowed the agency to "unmask" and hold on to personal data about Britons that had previously been off limits.
The memo, published in a joint investigation by the Guardian and Britain's Channel 4 News, says the material is being put in databases where it can be made available to other members of the US intelligence and military community.
Britain and the US are the main two partners in the 'Five-Eyes' intelligence-sharing alliance, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Until now, it had been generally understood that the citizens of each country were protected from surveillance by any of the others.
The report also reveals a leaked draft derective from 2005 wherein the NSA drafted policies that would allow its staff to spy on citizens in countries included in the "Five-Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance--including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada--despite instances where the partner countries had denied permission to do so.
It was unclear at the time of reporting whether or not this draft policy has become official. A spokeswoman for the NSA declined to answer questions from The Guardian.
_______________________
As The Guardian reports, the news is "the first explicit confirmation that UK citizens have been caught up in US mass surveillance programs."
According to the leaks provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, in 2007 NSA rules were changed following an agreement with the GCHQ, allowing the NSA agency to collect "British citizens' mobile phone and fax numbers, emails and IP addresses swept up by its dragnet," the Guardian reports--data that had been previously been protected and "stripped out of NSA databases" by the GHCQ.
The UK paper reports:
An NSA memo describes how in 2007 an agreement was reached that allowed the agency to "unmask" and hold on to personal data about Britons that had previously been off limits.
The memo, published in a joint investigation by the Guardian and Britain's Channel 4 News, says the material is being put in databases where it can be made available to other members of the US intelligence and military community.
Britain and the US are the main two partners in the 'Five-Eyes' intelligence-sharing alliance, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Until now, it had been generally understood that the citizens of each country were protected from surveillance by any of the others.
The report also reveals a leaked draft derective from 2005 wherein the NSA drafted policies that would allow its staff to spy on citizens in countries included in the "Five-Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance--including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada--despite instances where the partner countries had denied permission to do so.
It was unclear at the time of reporting whether or not this draft policy has become official. A spokeswoman for the NSA declined to answer questions from The Guardian.
_______________________