In 2023, N.S.A. Reveals Nearly Triple Increase in Disclosure of U.S. Identities in Surveillance Reports

The National Security Agency (NSA) identified Americans or U.S. entities nearly tripled from the previous year, according to a government report released on Tuesday. The increase in unmaskings, totaling more than 31,300 times, was attributed to foreign hackers attempting to breach critical infrastructure systems, rather than targeting individual people.

The report, issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, sheds light on how intelligence agencies utilize electronic surveillance powers. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 allows for warrantless surveillance under Section 702, which permits the collection of data from foreigners abroad without a warrant, even when communicating with Americans.

The Section 702 program has been a source of controversy since its inception in 2008, with Congress recently renewing it for two years amidst political debate. The FBI has faced scrutiny for conducting searches using American identifiers that later violated standards, including searches on lawmakers, Black Lives Matter protesters, and Capitol riot suspects.

Despite recent changes aimed at limiting FBI searches, the report revealed a significant increase in the number of Americans identified in intelligence reports. Privacy advocates have called for stricter oversight on these searches, while national security officials argue that such measures would hinder the program’s effectiveness.

The ongoing debate over surveillance practices highlights the delicate balance between national security and individual privacy rights. As technology continues to evolve, the need for transparent and accountable surveillance practices becomes increasingly important in safeguarding both national security and civil liberties.