The problem, IMO, is the reinterpretation of their remit. Their remit is to do whatever is necessary to protect 'the nation'. However where 'the nation' used to mean 'the people living in that country' it has been re-interpreted to mean 'the state' as in the government and the great bastions of industry and commerce. The man in the street is no longer considered precious and is therefore fair game.

They can fcuk right off on that score. 'The game' (that's not a dig, just my perception of the arseholes' treatment of the public) is all a bit pointless when you've forgotten why you started playing. Indeed, even major corporations are being hurt by this assumption that you can just abuse the entire world's privacy (remember when that would have sounded paranoid?).

They will just redefine everyone as a threat.

US tech giants knew of NSA data collection, agency's top lawyer insists

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/m ... -rajesh-de

I'd fully expect them to have known, but that doesn't make it any less of a scummy situation at your end!

Huawei has allegedly been spied on by the NSA since 2009

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/ ... 09-1236269

American intelligence - a contradiction in terms.

Ironic given everyone assumes Huawei are spying on their customers for the Chinese government.

It's a 20 sec video so here's the blurb



That's how ridiculous a/the security state is - billions spent spying on your own with little discernible benefit, only for them to outwit you with a letter.

Oh, and how have the British security forces crippled the latest Irish dissident grouping? Good old-fashioned bugs and informers. Nobody with half a clue uses a computer in the way we're 'prepared for'.

I remember reading in Spycatcher, that they routinely steamed open the letters of people under surveillance, but were completely defeated if the envelope was sealed with sellotape - there was no way to remove it without tipping off the target that the mail had been tampered with.

Lol, I always tape up letters on the few occasions I send them.

The NSA is burning down the web, but what if we rebuilt a spy-proof internet? (By David Byrne. Yes, that one)

To realize what we've given away, imagine going totally offline. Better yet, believe in what a truly secure online life might look like

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... e-internet

Haven't read that myself yet...

Aside from the story, that's an absolutely rubbish Talking Heads pun.

Needs more Tom Jones.

I do love the version with The Cardigans.

I bought it as a CD single I enjoyed it that much

President confirms plans to end NSA bulk telephone collection, and admits revelations have shaken faith in US intelligence

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/m ... tion-trust

It's pretty much a red herring since they were only collecting it because they could - this doesn't solve the real issue of them being able to scream 'national security!' every time they want information, in fact the words used there suggest it might be even easier in some respects.