NSA reform bill to end controversial phone record collection fails in Senate

[Shawn Knight]

The US Senate recently voted against the USA Freedom Act, a bill that would have crippled a key cog in the NSA’s spying capabilities. The bill garnered a vote of 58-42, just two votes shy of passing as outlined in a report from The New York Times.

The USA Freedom Act would have prevented the NSA from continuing to collect the phone record metadata of Americans. The data in question would have still been collected by phone companies although a new type of court order would have been needed for government agencies to obtain it.

The bill had the support of a number of major technology companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo as well as the Obama administration. Even the director of the NSA and the former director of National Intelligence were in favor of it.

Those against the bill, including Senator Mitch McConnell, believe the NSA’s tactics are necessary in the fight against terrorist. McConnell said this is the worst possible time to be tying our hands behind our backs.

Those in favor of it, like Senator Patrick Leahy who drafted it, said it protects Americans and would end the indiscriminate data collection process while keeping the tools the intelligence community needs to protect the nation.

What’s your take on the matter? Do you think the NSA should be forced to end its controversial phone record collection practices or is it necessary to help protect the country against terrorist attacks? Sound off in the comments section below. 

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/58891-nsa-reform-bill-end-controversial-phone-record-collection.html

 

[Littleczr]

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

 

[Hasbean]

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

When they deem talking about Rabbits and School stuff a terrorist activity, you will then be a terrorist.

 

[Guest]

You obviously don't need sleeping pills.......

 

[Evernessince]

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

Every word you speak seems to only be for yourself so it isn't a surprise that you don't care about a bill that would help others.

 

[captaincranky]

Every word you speak seems to only be for yourself so it isn't a surprise that you don't care about a bill that would help others.

Don't pay it any mind. It's just an unavoidable consequence of being named, Caesar.

 

[Misagt]

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

This will probably be above your head. But this is how Nazis killed 20million people.



First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[captaincranky]

This will probably be above your head. But this is how Nazis killed 20million people.



First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Oh, I don't know. Call me old "Fascist-oned", but think our social entitlement herd could stand a bit of thinning out.

 

[Evernessince]

Don't pay it any mind. It's just an unavoidable consequence of being named, Caesar.

Well said.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

I remember waffling on for hours on end on silly topics like yours when I was young and in love on the phone to my g/f, now my wife for over 30 years although my folks weren't best pleased when checking out the phone bill. These days we don't discuss topics like rabbits & school stuff anymore but we do reminisce and we experienced the same kind of thing with our kids while they were growing up. Anyway nowadays we have FB, Twitter, Instagram etc. for that kind of thing which the NSA monitors as well so you can't win.

I know I will get allot of heat for this, but I really don't care. Last night I spent 25 minutes talking to my g/f about her rabbits and my school stuff. I don't think the NSA would care. Maybe if I was a terrorist I would care.

Every word you speak seems to only be for yourself so it isn't a surprise that you don't care about a bill that would help others.

Isn't that the worlds mentality nowadays? As long as I'm fine Jack screw everyone else!

Every word you speak seems to only be for yourself so it isn't a surprise that you don't care about a bill that would help others.

Don't pay it any mind. It's just an unavoidable consequence of being named, Caesar.

Don't be hard on the boy, we're all entitled to our opinions in a 'democratic' society. Now if we were National Socialists we could send him to work for for a company whose slogan read "Arbeit Macht Frei" over the entrance gates.

Mod note: Triple Post Merge!

 

[captaincranky]

Don't be hard on the boy, we're all entitled to our opinions in a 'democratic' society. Now if we were National Socialists we could send him to work for for a company whose slogan read "Arbeit Macht Frei" over the entrance gates.

As long as it had a telephone next to the showers....(y)(y)

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

As long as it had a telephone next to the showers....(y)(y)

Don't mention that the showers have Zyklon B running through the pipes instead of water, it could raise suspicion.

 

[captaincranky]

"Chrysanthe-mum's the word. And now a word from our sponsor, "Raid, it kills bugs dead"!

 

[S_Brideau]

Kinda goes to show how politicians look for themselves and not the population too.

 

[Littleczr]

Anyways gentlemen I stand with my opinion until some one comes up with a good reason. That nazi stuff is farse. I am more concerned about net neutrality.