{"id":2430,"date":"2024-01-26T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darkreading.com\/cyber-risk\/wyden-releases-documents-confirming-the-nsa-buys-americans-internet-browsing-records"},"modified":"2024-01-26T22:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T22:00:00","slug":"wyden-releases-documents-confirming-the-nsa-buys-americans-internet-browsing-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2024\/01\/26\/wyden-releases-documents-confirming-the-nsa-buys-americans-internet-browsing-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Wyden Releases Documents Confirming the NSA Buys Americans’ Internet Browsing Records"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

PRESS RELEASE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>\u2013<\/span><\/span> U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released documents confirming the National Security Agency buys Americans\u2019 internet records, which can reveal which websites they visit and what apps they use. In response to the revelation, today Wyden called on the administration to ensure intelligence agencies stop buying personal data from Americans that has been obtained illegally by data brokers. A recent FTC order held that data brokers must obtain Americans\u2019 informed consent before selling their data. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe U.S. government should not be funding and legitimizing a shady industry whose flagrant violations of Americans\u2019 privacy are not just unethical, but illegal,\u201d Wyden wrote in a letter to Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines today. \u201cTo that end, I request that you adopt a policy that, going forward, IC elements may only purchase data about Americans that meets the standard for legal data sales established by the FTC.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wyden fought for nearly three years to publicly release the fact that the NSA is purchasing Americans\u2019 internet records. He succeeded in obtaining public confirmation of that fact after  placing a hold on the nomination of Lt. General Timothy Haugh to serve as NSA director. Web browsing records can reveal sensitive, private information about a person based on where they go on the internet, including visiting websites related to mental health resources, resources for survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse, or visiting a telehealth provider who focuses on birth control or abortion medication. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wyden, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has revealed how multiple federal government agencies have bought and searched Americans\u2019 private records \u2014 including location data, internet records and more \u2014 without a warrant \u2014 in effect using their credit card to circumvent the Fourth Amendment. In 2021, for example, Wyden revealed <\/span>the Defense Intelligence Agency was buying and using location data collected from Americans\u2019 phones.<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil recently, the data broker industry and the intelligence community\u2019s purchase of data from these shady companies has existed in a legal gray area, which was in large part due to the secrecy surrounding the practice,\u201d Wyden wrote.  \u201cApp developers and advertising companies did not meaningfully disclose to users their sale and sharing of personal data with data brokers nor seek to obtain informed consent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wyden urged the DNI to direct U.S. intelligence agencies to stop purchasing Americans\u2019 private data that was obtained unlawfully in violation of new rules outlined by <\/span>the Federal Trade Commission this month.<\/a><\/span> Through this case, the FTC announced that Americans must be told and agree to their data being sold to \u201cgovernment contractors for national security purposes,\u201d for the practice to be allowed. Wyden, who has spent seven years investigating the data broker industry, is not aware of any company that provides such a warning to users before collecting their data. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wyden also asked the DNI to direct intelligence agency elements to take three actions to ensure they are complying with the FTC\u2019s latest rulings: <\/span><\/p>\n

\n