The NSA Tracks Internet Users Who Simply Research Methods to Protect Their Privacy

A new report says that the NSA tracks Internet users who visit websites for Tor and Tails to keep their information private.

Image via The Hacker News

As we celebrate this great nation, let's remember that the government is out catching terrorists... even if that means the "terrorist" is someone who simply wants to protect their privacy.

A new report detailing the NSA's internet database XKeyscore reveals that the agency has set up a piece of source code with rules to capture the IP address of German users who visit the websites of Tor and Tails. What are Tor and Tails? Tor is an online browser that protects outside sources (like the NSA) from learning your location or browsing habits. Tails, which was used by the likes of Edward Snowden, is an operating system that is built around protecting privacy and keeping things anonymous. Tor, for one, has long been in the crosshairs of the NSA because its power to keep things anonymous, and is essentially the gate into the "dark Internet." 

The NSA released this statement about the report:

In carrying out its mission, NSA collects only what it is authorized by law to collect for valid foreign intelligence purposes - regardless of the technical means used by foreign intelligence targets. The communications of people who are not foreign intelligence targets are of no use to the agency.

[viaThe Register

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