NSA stores metadata of millions of web users for up to a year, secret files show
The National Security Agency is storing the online metadata of millions of internet users for up to a
year, regardless of whether or not they are persons of interest to the agency,
top secret documents reveal. Metadata provides a record of almost anything a
user does online, from browsing history – such as map searches and websites
visited – to account details, email activity, and even some account passwords.
This can be used to build a detailed picture of an individual's life. The Obama
administration has repeatedly stated that the NSA keeps only the content of
messages and communications of people it is intentionally targeting – but
internal documents reveal the agency retains vast amounts of metadata.
Edward Snowden, describes the agency's metadata repository, codenamed Marina. Any computer
metadata picked up by NSA collection systems is routed to the Marina database,
the guide explains. Phone metadata is sent to a separate system. The Marina metadata application tracks a user's browser
experience, gathers contact information/content and develops summaries of
target. This tool offers the ability to export the data in a variety of
formats, as well as create various charts to assist in pattern-of-life
development. Marina aggregates NSA metadata from an array of sources, some targeted,
others on a large scale. Major internet companies – allow the NSA to obtain
content and metadata on thousands of targets without individual warrants.
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