In a recent document leak online, it appears that through a program
entitled PRISM, the NSA (National Security Agency) has the ability to
access user information, private emails, and even live chat messages
from the servers of Google, Apple, and Facebook.
The NSA now has access to multiple major social network servers, including those of Google, Apple, and Facebook. Through a leaked top-secret document, the web has learned that the NSA has the ability for "collection directly from the servers." When probed about this, companies have generally denied any such program or ability. Google in particular released a statement trying to calm the fears of their users, stating that "Google cares deeply about the security of out users' data. We disclose user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such requests carefully." Apple, on the other hand, was more brash. A spokesman from the company simply quipped that he had "never heard" of the programs in question, and left it at that.
Internet privacy advocates such as Kim Dotcom have been soldiering for highly-encrypted information that only the user can access, to provide true privacy to those on the web. If the document is authentic, this provides the NSA the ability to utilize all US-contained data (the the content therein) to which it has access, and collect this data without any kind of warrant. Therefore, all content passing through these servers is subject to collection. Other companies that are allegedly involved are Microsoft, YouTube, Skype, Yahoo, and AOL.
The NSA now has access to multiple major social network servers, including those of Google, Apple, and Facebook. Through a leaked top-secret document, the web has learned that the NSA has the ability for "collection directly from the servers." When probed about this, companies have generally denied any such program or ability. Google in particular released a statement trying to calm the fears of their users, stating that "Google cares deeply about the security of out users' data. We disclose user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such requests carefully." Apple, on the other hand, was more brash. A spokesman from the company simply quipped that he had "never heard" of the programs in question, and left it at that.
Internet privacy advocates such as Kim Dotcom have been soldiering for highly-encrypted information that only the user can access, to provide true privacy to those on the web. If the document is authentic, this provides the NSA the ability to utilize all US-contained data (the the content therein) to which it has access, and collect this data without any kind of warrant. Therefore, all content passing through these servers is subject to collection. Other companies that are allegedly involved are Microsoft, YouTube, Skype, Yahoo, and AOL.
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