Co-opting the serfs and the sanction of the victims: US swaps data with thousands of firms

Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with US national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, four people familiar with the process said.

Co-opting the serfs and the sanction of the victims: US swaps data with thousands of firms LT-surveillanceart-20130614153940647252-620x349

Co-opting the serfs and the sanction of the victims: US swaps data with thousands of firms LT-surveillanceart-20130614153940647252-620x349

These programs, whose participants are known as trusted partners, extend far beyond what was revealed by Edward Snowden, a computer technician who did work for the National Security Agency. The role of private companies has come under intense scrutiny since his disclosure this month that the NSA is collecting millions of US residents' telephone records and the computer communications of foreigners from Google and other internet companies under court order.

Many of these same internet and telecommunications companies voluntarily provide US intelligence organisations with additional data, such as equipment specifications, that don't involve private communications of their customers, the four people said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/us-swaps-data-with-thousands-of-firms-sources-20130614-2o8wu.html#ixzz2WGmTLiHZ

Co-opting the serfs and the sanction of the victims: US swaps data with thousands of firms

Co-opting the serfs and the sanction of the victims: US swaps data with thousands of firms

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