The news today is that the NSA has the ability to decrypt smart phones of all sorts so that it can read text messages, voice recordings and the like. Last week the big news on this front was that the NSA can decrypt bank records, charge card records and other financial transactions. Why is this news?
The main mission of the NSA has always been decryption of codes. Is there anyone who is truly surprised that the NSA has managed to break the codes on cell phones? Since these devices are now one of the main methods of communications used around the world, doesn't it stand to reason that the NSA would try to listen in on them? It's a spy agency that breaks codes. If there are enemies of the USA who are speaking or texting on phones (and there are), don't we all want the NSA to listen in on them? When you read in the paper about elevated levels of "chatter" among terror groups, where did you think the government found out about what they were saying? Does anyone actually believe that al Qaeda sends copies of all its messages to the NSA?
The capability to listen in is not surprising. The only real issue is the identity of the folks to whom the NSA listens.
The main mission of the NSA has always been decryption of codes. Is there anyone who is truly surprised that the NSA has managed to break the codes on cell phones? Since these devices are now one of the main methods of communications used around the world, doesn't it stand to reason that the NSA would try to listen in on them? It's a spy agency that breaks codes. If there are enemies of the USA who are speaking or texting on phones (and there are), don't we all want the NSA to listen in on them? When you read in the paper about elevated levels of "chatter" among terror groups, where did you think the government found out about what they were saying? Does anyone actually believe that al Qaeda sends copies of all its messages to the NSA?
The capability to listen in is not surprising. The only real issue is the identity of the folks to whom the NSA listens.
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