DEFCON 20: Bigger Monster, Weaker Chains: The National Security Agency and the Constitution

William Binney and ACLU lawyers discuss the National Security Agency's mass surveillance programs and their conflict with the US Constitution.

Speakers: JAMEEL JAFFER DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION WILLIAM BINNEY FORMER OFFICIAL, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY JAMES BAMFORD INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST ALEX ABDO STAFF ATTORNEY, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION The National Security Agency, the largest, most powerful spy agency in the world, has taken in an estimated 15 to 20 trillion communications since 9/11, often in defiance of the Constitution and Congressional statutes. The NSA’s goal, some say, is to collect virtually all of our electronic communications to allow mass data mining reminiscent of the notorious and now reportedly-defunct program, Total Information Awareness. The limits on the agency’s authority to sweep up and analyze this information are critical to our safety and our privacy. The NSA is investing vast amounts in increasing its data storage, code-breaking and analysis capabilities, frequently claiming the investments are for foreign intelligence or “cybersecurity” purposes. However, instead of keeping its equipment trained on terrorism suspects or foreign governments, the NSA is increasingly monitoring the communications of innocent people. Longtime NSA official and whistleblower Bill Binney will join investigative journalist and NSA expert James Bamford and ACLU lawyer Alex Abdo to explore the NSA’s goals, reach, and capabilities, and the legality (or illegality) of its actions. The panel will be moderated by the Deputy Director of the ACLU, Jameel Jaffer. For more information visit: bit.ly/defcon20_information To download the video visit: bit.ly/defcon20_videos Playlist DEFCON 20: bit.ly/defcon20_playlist