PRISM

PRISM
Name	PRISM
Agency	National Security Agency
Jurisdiction	United States
Launched	2007
Status	Active
Legal authority	Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Protect America Act of 2007, FISA Amendments Act of 2008

PRISM. It is a clandestine mass electronic surveillance data mining program operated by the United States National Security Agency since 2007. The program, conducted under the oversight of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, involves the collection of internet communications from various U.S.-based internet service providers. Its existence was classified until it was disclosed to the public in 2013 by former Central Intelligence Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Overview

PRISM functions as a critical source for raw intelligence used in the daily President's Daily Brief. The program is designed to facilitate the targeted collection of foreign intelligence from major technology companies operating within the United States. According to disclosed materials, collection under this program is authorized by specific directives from the Attorney General of the United States and the Director of National Intelligence. Data obtained is shared with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, including the Government Communications Headquarters in the United Kingdom.

History and development

The program's development followed the passage of the Protect America Act of 2007, which amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. PRISM reportedly began in 2007 under the administration of President George W. Bush. Its legal foundation was further solidified by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which included a controversial provision for the bulk collection of communications. The program continued and expanded during the presidency of Barack Obama. Internal documents from the National Security Agency characterized PRISM as its most significant source of raw intelligence.

Technical capabilities and operation

PRISM collects stored internet communications, such as emails, file transfers, and live chats, from the servers of participating corporations. According to slides published by The Guardian and The Washington Post, collection points include companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Facebook. The system allows analysts to use selectors like email addresses or telephone numbers to task collection. Data is reportedly ingested into the National Security Agency's XKeyscore analytic tool and other repositories like MARINA. The Federal Bureau of Investigation often acts as an intermediary to facilitate data requests from the technology firms.

Legal and policy framework

The program operates under the legal authority of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, specifically Section 702, which permits surveillance targeting non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. Oversight is provided by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which reviews targeting and minimization procedures. The Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence assert that the program includes safeguards to protect the privacy of American citizens. These legal interpretations have been challenged by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Public disclosure and reactions

The existence of PRISM was revealed in June 2013 through a series of articles in The Guardian by journalist Glenn Greenwald and in The Washington Post by Barton Gellman. The source of the disclosure was former Central Intelligence Agency contractor Edward Snowden, who had copied classified documents while working for Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii. The revelation triggered global controversy, diplomatic tensions with allies like Angela Merkel of Germany, and widespread debate about privacy and security. Technology executives, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Larry Page of Google, publicly denied knowledge of or participation in the program as described.

Impact and legacy

The disclosure of PRISM had profound consequences for global technology policy, privacy law, and public perception of intelligence agencies. It directly influenced the legal and political push for reforms, contributing to the passage of the USA Freedom Act in 2015, which ended the National Security Agency's bulk collection of domestic telephone metadata. The scandal intensified global scrutiny of U.S. technology firms and fueled the development of stronger encryption standards. It also cemented Edward Snowden's status as either a traitor or a whistleblower in ongoing political debates, influencing subsequent journalism and works like Citizenfour, a documentary by Laura Poitras.

Category:National Security Agency Category:Surveillance programs Category:2007 establishments in the United States