Year In Communications: NSA Revelations Overshadow Communications Breakthroughs

MacRonin writes "Communications news in 2013 was dominated by serial revelations of the National Security Agency's mass collection of data from major Internet companies and mobile carriers, leading to widespread cries of governmental overreach. But those revelations, based on leaks from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, were accompanied by remarkable advances in wireless communications. The Snowden documents also galvanized new efforts at making the Internet more secure and private. The folks at MIT Technology Review have their year-end rundown."

Re:Uh, okay?

[Seumas]

I also like how, apparently, we're calling it "mass collection of information", instead of "spying", now.

Overshadowed or overhyped, but not remarkable.

[Mr D from 63]

I read TFA. There was not one advancement I would consider to be "remarkable". I would argue that some were really developed before 2013 as well. Of course, throw something about Snowden or the NSA in there, you'll get a few folks to read it. The NSA headlines also overshadowed everything else not worth reporting on.

Re:They have dedicated a special page for them

[drinkypoo]

Which part of the constitution are they violating? Can you cite the passage or amendment?

First see the intro

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Now see Section 3.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The purpose of the nation is freedom. The purpose of the NSA's actions is to oppose freedom. Therefore, those who perpetrate these actions are enemies of the nation, and those who support them are giving them aid; both groups are traitorous and the appropriate remedy is hanging by the neck until dead.

Re:They have dedicated a special page for them

[ewieling]

When a person is incarcerated they lose their privacy. The "right to privacy" may not be spelled out in the constitution but I think it is obvious the government considers taking away a person's privacy to be a form of punishment. The Constitution says the government may not punish the citizens without a trial.