National news related to collecting phone records from citizens. Concerns around individual privacy and national security. Click on the article below for more information.
Source: Associated Press
White House defends collecting phone records
In my opinion, if it’s authorized by a local justice of the peace or [other] legal authority for [only] the sole intent and purpose of solving a crime, then I’d lean towards it being ethical for that [single] event. But if it’s for another matter (e.g. civil) then it should be more democratic but in a more timely fashion. For example, a review panel or grand jury.
What is the government defending?
[AP] “…the National Security Agency’s need to collect telephone records of U.S. citizens, calling such information “a critical tool in protecting the nation from terrorist threats.”
The need would likely be to solve a criminal case with phone records. For example, useful information leading to a conviction or exonerate an individual. That’s my educated guess. Going to review the article further.
More
Bloomberg Technology: Tech Giants, Like Telecoms, Have Been Sharing With the NSA
Fox News: Statement from Verizon EVP to employees regarding report phone records seized