The National Security Agency has announced it would end its controversial practice of sweeping up any email or text message an American exchanges with someone overseas that makes reference to a real target of NSA surveillance.
The US spy agency said although it has the legal power to continue scooping up such communications, it would halt the practice to protect the privacy of US citizens.
“NSA will no longer collect certain Internet communications that merely mention a foreign intelligence target,” it said. The NSA is permitted to collect communications of any foreign target, but not that of Americans except in certain situations, or if it gains a warrant to do so.
Under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, it is allowed to scoop up a US citizen’s emails or texts with someone outside the country if those merely mention a specific NSA surveillance target — so-called “about” collection.
The practice sparked criticism from civil liberties advocates, who say it violates constitutional protections. Many threatened to block renewal of Section 702 at the end of this year if the law is not tightened.
