United States of Secrets, Part Two (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official・2 minutes read

A classified program led by Edward Snowden leaked NSA surveillance targeting all communications, causing a backlash with some labeling Snowden a hero and others condemning him. Google challenged NSLs issued by the FBI, leading to privacy concerns and backlash over email content scanning for targeted ads.

Insights

  • Edward Snowden leaked top-secret files from the NSA, revealing the Prism program's collaboration with internet companies for content data collection, leading to a global controversy over surveillance practices and government transparency.
  • The NSA's extensive surveillance programs, including data extraction from fiber optic cables overseas and breaching tech giants' data centers, raised significant privacy concerns, prompting legal challenges like Nick Merrill's NSL case and legislative proposals against email content scanning for targeted ads.

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Recent questions

  • What did Edward Snowden leak in 2013?

    In 2013, Edward Snowden, a contractor for the NSA, leaked top-secret files to journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras in Hong Kong. These documents revealed the NSA's surveillance activities, which targeted all communications, including those of American citizens. This leak contradicted earlier statements made by General James Clapper regarding the extent of NSA surveillance.

  • Where did Edward Snowden seek asylum?

    After revealing his identity in a video, Edward Snowden fled to Russia seeking asylum. The US had revoked his passport, preventing him from reaching South America. Snowden's actions sparked controversy, with some viewing him as a hero for exposing government surveillance practices, while others condemned him for potential security risks.

  • How did tech companies react to NSA's Prism program?

    Tech companies like Google and Facebook denied direct access to the NSA through the Prism program, causing shock and disbelief in the tech community. While these companies did not allow direct NSA access to their servers, they cooperated with a secret program that they could not fully disclose to their customers. This revelation led to concerns about privacy and data security among users.

  • What led to the appointment of a panel to review NSA programs?

    The NSA faced backlash over the surveillance revelations, prompting President Obama to appoint a panel to review the agency's programs. Snowden's leaks exposed the extent of NSA surveillance activities, leading to public scrutiny and concerns about privacy violations. The panel was tasked with assessing the legality and effectiveness of NSA programs in light of these revelations.

  • What privacy concerns were raised about Google's email scanning?

    Google scans emails to determine ads to show users, which sparked privacy concerns and backlash from privacy advocates. California Senator Liz Figueroa even proposed legislation to ban targeted ads based on email content. While Google defended the practice, comparing it to spam filtering and assuring no privacy violation, concerns persisted about the implications of allowing email content scanning for advertising purposes.

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Summary

00:00

Snowden Leaks NSA Surveillance Program, Controversy Ensues

  • The program, a highly classified initiative crucial to national security, was authorized at the highest government levels.
  • Edward Snowden, a contractor, leaked top-secret files from the NSA to journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras in Hong Kong in May 2013.
  • Snowden's leaked documents revealed the NSA's surveillance targeted all communications, including those of American citizens, contradicting General James Clapper's earlier statements.
  • The Guardian and Washington Post published stories based on Snowden's leaks, prompting a response from the White House and NSA officials.
  • The Prism program, revealed through Snowden's leaks, involved nine internet companies cooperating with the NSA to collect content data, not just metadata.
  • President Obama downplayed the surveillance revelations, claiming they did not apply to US citizens or those living in the US.
  • Snowden, after revealing his identity in a video, fled to Russia for asylum due to the US revoking his passport, preventing him from reaching South America.
  • Snowden's actions sparked controversy, with some labeling him a hero and others condemning him for potential security risks.
  • The NSA faced backlash over the surveillance revelations, leading to President Obama appointing a panel to review the agency's programs.
  • Silicon Valley companies like Google and Facebook denied direct access to the NSA through the Prism program, causing shock and disbelief in the tech community.

17:48

NSA's Secret Data Collection and Legal Challenges

  • Companies did not allow direct NSA access to their servers but cooperated with a secret program they couldn't fully disclose to customers.
  • NSA's program "Muscular" involved secretly extracting data from fiber optic cables overseas, bypassing surveillance laws.
  • NSA could collect data abroad without restrictions, hack into companies' networks, and gather information in bulk.
  • Under Executive Order 12333, NSA broke into Google and Yahoo's data centers worldwide to collect a significant portion of global internet traffic.
  • Google was shocked by the breach and swiftly moved to encrypt its data to prevent NSA access.
  • NSA's programs were not designed with exposure in mind, leading to significant damage caused by Snowden's leaks.
  • Mark Klein discovered NSA's data copying operation at AT&T, leading to public awareness of extensive domestic surveillance post-9/11.
  • National Security Letters (NSLs) issued post-9/11 allowed FBI to demand information without court review, with gag orders preventing disclosure.
  • Nick Merrill challenged an NSL in court, becoming the first to do so on constitutional grounds, highlighting privacy concerns.
  • Google eventually challenged 19 NSLs in 2013, prompting FBI to withdraw Merrill's NSL after it was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court.

36:08

Google's Email Scanning Sparks Privacy Concerns

  • Google scans emails to determine ads to show users, sparking privacy concerns and backlash from advocates.
  • California Senator Liz Figueroa proposed legislation to ban targeted ads based on email content.
  • Google defended the practice, comparing it to spam filtering and assuring no privacy violation.
  • Concerns were raised about the privacy implications of allowing email content scanning for advertising.
  • Facebook's data collection practices led to Google's anxiety and a push to enhance their own data collection.
  • Google's acquisition of DoubleClick solidified its position as a dominant internet advertising company.
  • NSA exploited Google's tracking cookies to monitor browsing activity and inject malware.
  • Google denied NSA surveillance association, leading to a dispute with privacy experts.
  • Silicon Valley tech companies expressed dissatisfaction with NSA surveillance practices to President Obama, highlighting global market concerns.
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