Sign up for our newsletter.

Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.

Follow us:

THIS ISN’T A PAYWALL

Common Dreams will never be locked behind a paywall because we believe our journalism should remain freely available to everyone ― not just those who can afford to pay. By becoming a sustaining monthly donor today, you can help make sure our work remains free for those who aren't able to chip in.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

Corporate gatekeepers and big tech monopolists are making it more difficult than ever for independent media to survive. Please chip in today.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

NSA

Previous administrations have misled the public and Congress about the extent of spying on Americans without congressional authorization or a court order. (Photo: Getty/Stock Photo)

The Secrecy and Unaccountability of the Surveillance State Delegitimizes the Government and Undermines Trust

This warrantless mass surveillance of people in the United States—often capturing information on millions of innocent Americans, with disproportionate impacts on communities of color—fuels resentment against the government from both ends of the ideological spectrum.

Mark Udall ·

The National Security Agency (NSA) logo is shown on a computer screen inside the Threat Operations Center at the NSA in Fort Meade. U.S. President George W. Bush visited the ultra-secret National Security Agency on Wednesday to underscore the importance of his controversial order authorizing domestic surveillance without warrants. (Photo: Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)

SolarWinds Is Not the 'Hack of the Century.' It’s Blowback for the NSA's Longtime Dominance of Cyberspace

Breathless coverage of the SolarWinds hack functions to manufacture consent for NSA's internet hegemony and to divert us from considering alternative models of security.

Jesselyn Radack ·

A sculpture of Edward Snowden (L), Julian Assange (C), and Chelsea Manning (R) by Italian artist Davide Dormino in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Freedom and Human Rights Advocates Lament Trump's Denial of Pardons for Assange and Snowden

"Trump gave us one final reminder that he is an enemy of press freedom. Now Biden must decide if he wants to continue Trump's legacy."

Brett Wilkins ·

Rep. Pramila Jayapal is one of 39 House lawmakers who sent a letter to the Trump administration asking critical questions about government domestic mass surveillance. (Photo: Alex Edelman/Getty Images)

'Our Right to Privacy Is at Stake': Jayapal Leads Demand for White House Answers on Possible Illegal Mass Surveillance

"We are concerned that the executive branch may, once again, be using questionable legal theories of executive authority to justify the illegal surveillance of the American people," the 39 lawmakers wrote.

Brett Wilkins ·

Keith Alexander, a former Army general and NSA director, has joined Amazon's board. (Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Former NSA Chief Keith Alexander—Who Lied About Mass Surveillance—Joins Amazon's Board

The former Army general is "personally responsible for the unlawful mass surveillance programs that caused a global scandal," says NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. 

Brett Wilkins ·

'This is Not Normal': Human Rights, Press Freedom Advocates Denied Remote Access to Assange Hearing

The WikiLeaks founder, who exposed U.S. war crimes, faces up to 175 years in prison if the U.K. agrees to extradite Assange.

Lisa Newcomb ·

Further Vindicating Righteousness of Snowden's Whistleblowing, NSA Bulk Spying Ruled Illegal

"I never imagined that I would live to see our courts condemn the NSA's activities as unlawful and in the same ruling credit me for exposing them. And yet that day has arrived," said Edward Snowden in response to the ruling.

Jake Johnson ·

The message to the U.S. government is simple: Fix U.S. mass surveillance, or undermine one of the United States’ major industries. (Photo: NSA)

EU Court Again Rules That NSA Spying Makes U.S. Companies Inadequate for Privacy

This decision shows, yet again, that the U.S. needs much broader, privacy-protective reform, and that Congress’ inaction makes us all less safe, wherever we are.

Danny O'Brien ·

Senate Leadership Is Pushing Through a Dangerous Surveillance Bill as Americans Are Focused on Covid-19

If McConnell's push through the Senate succeeds, it would renew the government’s power to warrantlessly acquire billions of data points on every person in the United States. These are terrifying powers to hand to President Trump.

Sandra Fulton ·

How a Government Censored an NSA Whistleblower

"I viewed the extraordinary pressure to block me as an already-accepted speaker as a most alarming and Orwellian development."

Thomas Drake ·

Sign up for our newsletter.

Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.

Common Dreams Logo

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.