Letters: What the NSA knows about us
Re “A new day at the NSA,” Opinion, Jan. 19
President Obama’s proposals to reform the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs are basically quasi-empty steps to place some constraints on the present unlimited data collection programs.
If something is required in the future to avert any type of terrorist attack on the U.S. or U.S. interests abroad, the NSA will be able to do what it is doing today but with more stringent oversight. That’s the correct approach and outcome.
The 4th Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures. There is nothing unreasonable about what the NSA is doing, as we are still at war.
Dro Amirian
Studio City
Doyle McManus once again brings up the question of whether former NSA contractor Edward Snowden is a hero, traitor or — as McManus states — a renegade. He is none of those.
Snowden is an activist who exposed secrets that should have been revealed to the American people years ago by those in government who are supposed to be guarding our freedom and privacy.
Matt Giorgi
Brea
Many people are livid over the NSA’s collection of domestic phone call metadata. Meanwhile, because of a hacking incident, millions who shopped at Target and used their credit or debit cards are at risk of identity theft.
People blissfully sign up for club cards at their local grocery chain or pharmacy without any concern that the store has access to their birth date, address, phone number and other personal information and is tracking every purchase. The stores then use this information to target sales to particular customers. Most Internet purchases require a credit card number that can be accessed by a hacker.
I don’t think the NSA’s collection of phone numbers and other non-content information gives it access to PIN numbers that allow checking accounts to be drained. But the NSA and the federal government are accused of intrusion into our lives, while shoppers still look for bargains at Target.
Betty C. Duckman
Long Beach
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