Now that Americans are aware of something called PRISM that’s apparently been keeping a close eye on their Internet activity, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has declassified some information to clarify what he calls “significant misimpressions” left by media reports. However, national security interests preclude him from saying too much, other than to clarify that PRISM isn’t a data mining operation, but rather an internal government computer system.
https://twitter.com/thedextriarchy/status/343476316630294528
Breaking: DNI Clapper declassifies details on PRISM
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) June 8, 2013
Clapper: PRISM is not an undisclosed collection or data mining program. It is an internal government computer system
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) June 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/JRDinATL/status/343454793584504832
Clapper’s other key point is that whatever is done with PRISM is done legally, and under the supervision of all three branches of government. And despite statements from Facebook and Google that they had never heard of PRISM before this week, the program is widely known. Aside from that, his statement today was a shot across the bow of the media, whose rush to report has made his job very difficult.
“Over the last week we have seen reckless disclosures of intelligence community measures used to keep Americans safe.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“..media outlets have not given the full context–including the extent to which these programs are overseen by all three branches of govt.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“.. surveillance activities published in The Guardian and W. Post are lawful and conducted under authorities widely known and discussed..”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
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“Their purpose is to obtain foreign intelligence..including information necessary to thwart terrorist and cyber attacks against the US..”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“Our ability to discuss these activities is limited by our need to protect intelligence sources and methods.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“Disclosing information about the specific methods the government uses.. can obviously give our enemies a “playbook”.. to avoid detection.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“FISA “Section 702 has proven.. to be one of our most important tools for the protection of the nation’s security.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“..significant misimpressions.. have resulted from the recent articles. Not all ..can be corrected w/o .. revealing classified information.”
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
“I have.. declassified .. details about the recent unauthorized disclosures in hope that it will help dispel some of the myths..” — JRC
— Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) June 8, 2013
It’s going to take a lot more than today’s statement to placate the press, especially following the AP and Fox News spying scandals.
Speaking of "misimpressions", didn't Clapper leave some with his testimony before Congress? #nocredibility @ZekeJMiller
— Cindy Cooper (@CindyCoops) June 8, 2013
Really? @AP consulted and got docs seized. “@politico44: RT @politico DNI James Clapper condemns ‘rush to publish’: http://t.co/0NqPK89c3l”
— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) June 8, 2013
Final: After Gov't treats media like @AP as enemy, Mr Clapper, Gov't cant condemn "rush to judgment." You. Violated. Trust. Earn it back.
— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) June 8, 2013
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