Kyle Marcelino Tech 01.26.2024 02:Jan AM EST

NSA is Buying Americans' Data Activity Without Warrant

The National Security Agency has confirmed that it was able to acquire internet data of Americans even without a warrant, sidestepping critical legalities in data privacy.

In an undisclosed letter addressed to Sen. Ron Wyden, NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone verified that the spy agency is indeed able to buy "netflow" data without the user's consent.

Netflow data refers to the user's internet activity, such as which websites and which other users they engage inside and outside the US. Data content and personal information are not included in the records.

NSA Letter Sheds Light into Gray Area of Data Purchasing

The NSA defended its actions as part of its "critical" mission in protecting the citizens from cyber threats, insisting that it only acquired "commercially available information."

Wyden, however, said the NSA's operations are a violation of the Federal Trade Commission's standards against collecting sensitive data for tracking.

The Democrat senator pointed to the revelation as a "wake-up call" for the government to limit the purchasing power of state agencies over users' data.

Also Read: Facebook Introduces 'Link History' on Mobile to Track Visited Websites

Data Purchasing is Rampant on US Intelligence Agencies - Wydem

This was not the first time Wyde has released information that a government body was able to acquire sensitive data from its citizens.

In 2021, the senator obtained a memo confirming that the Defense Intelligence Agency is able to buy commercially available smartphone apps without warrants.

Wyden has been demanding the intelligence agencies to disclose how much information they are collecting from Americans.

Coincidentally, the NSA letter was released to the public at the same time the FTC started cracking down on companies for trading the personal information of its customers.

Just earlier this month, the FTC ordered Virginia-based data broker Outlogic to stop selling sensitive location data that can be used to track internet users.

Wyden has already barred the appointment of a new NSA director following the release of the letter, requesting the agency to first clarify inquiries on collecting American's internet and location data.