WASHINGTON—The National Security Agency—which possesses only limited
legal authority to spy on U.S. citizens—has built a surveillance network
that covers more Americans' Internet communications than officials have
publicly disclosed, current and former officials say.
The system has the capacity to reach roughly 75% of all U.S. Internet
traffic in the hunt for foreign intelligence, including a wide array of
communications by foreigners and Americans. In some cases, it retains
the written content of emails sent between citizens within the U.S. and
also filters domestic phone calls made with Internet technology, these
people say. The programs, code-named Blarney, Fairview, Oakstar, Lithium and
Stormbrew, among others, filter and gather information at major
telecommunications companies. Blarney, for instance, was established
with AT&T Inc.,
T -0.72%
former officials say. AT&T declined to comment.
WSJ
August 21, 2013
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