WASHINGTON – More U.S. intelligence agencies are getting access to the raw signals intelligence the National Security Agency collects abroad. That's got some privacy advocates worried.
The NSA might not intentionally target U.S. citizens, but its bulk collection of foreign communications does sweep up some Americans' phone calls, emails and other online communications as they bounce across networks overseas.
Before, the NSA removed irrelevant names and personal information before giving the intercepts to the 16 other intelligence agencies, including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. Now they will be able to peruse the raw information themselves, while still abiding by existing privacy rules.
Groups like the Brennan Center for Justice argue the new rules, published online Thursday, roll back strict limits on the NSA's sharing of data with domestic law enforcement agencies.
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