AT&T Accidentally Leaks Incriminating NSA Info

[jedisponge]

Not sure if this was posted or not.
PDF documents from AT&T attorneys reveal details confirming previous allegations of NSA wiretapping

AT&T attorneys released a legal briefing with three pages of redacted information in a PDF format. Unfortunately for AT&T and the US National Security Agency, the censored information was still readable in many PDF viewing applications. The document was part of the same EFF lawsuit filed back in February of this year.

The document alluded that a room in one of AT&T's switching centers is dedicated to NSA digital eavesdropping -- complete with backup fiber optic splices and monitoring equipment. CNET claims the following is part of the censored text with regard to the NSA room: "Although the plaintiffs ominously refer to the equipment as the 'Surveillance Configuration,' the same physical equipment could be utilized exclusively for other surveillance in full compliance with [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]."

This accidental leak of information comes on the heels of a separate document leak incident orchestrated by AT&T insider and whistleblower Mark Klein. Klein claims he spliced fiber optic cable to a room in an AT&T switching center for the NSA. That room, it turns out, is the same room mentioned in the PDF document that was improperly censored.

Cable companies have been quick to jump on the negative press surrounding AT&T and its alleged breach of privacy. Several cable companies including Comcast, Cox and Time Warner, issued statements claiming they will not provide the NSA with unwarranted information.
Some interesting, as well as "whiskey tango foxtrot" comments: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2558

[Firetxmi]

Very interesting....

[vryhpyammoadded]

In what way is this incriminating? The NSA isn't breaking any laws.

[ElHombre]

In what way is this incriminating? The NSA isn't breaking any laws.

that's the line the admin keeps using, and we all know this admin can be counted on to tell the truth. *sarcasm*

looks like that lawsuit against AT&T just got a boost. woot

[vryhpyammoadded]

that's the line the admin keeps using, and we all know this admin can be counted on to tell the truth. *sarcasm*

looks like that lawsuit against AT&T just got a boost. woot

Agreed and agreed but, I still don't think the NSA has done anything wrong. Note: The administration isn't lying about the existance and threat of international terror or the fact there are groups out there aiming to pull off another big attack. There are people out there that make these steps necessary and I’m happy the NSA is using all mean necessary to find them. They are in the US and must be delt with and no, we are not sacrificing anything by "temporarily" spying within.

I am also dissatisfied with my government but I’m much angrier with the terrorists and there supporting governments hell bent on killing people for there own selfish gain. I’m willing to support a "somewhat" corrupt yet salvagable US system until these people are eliminated and I’m not going to support what I consider a perfectly valid and useful tool being potentially shut down by people I consider to have poorly understood the threat to the world Islamofascists and there supporters are.

There was a quote from some movie way back when Nazi’s were attacking a group of Americans who were in there own gun private gun fight. One said “We may be GD gangsters but we’re American GD gangsters.” The Americans then proceed to shoot the Nazi’s. It’s a similar situation and kind of sums it up the situation well.

Like I said before, once the Islamofascist and there supporting government threats is eliminated and, they are a real threat, I’ll be happy to bitch about the little sh*t. For now, comparatively, the NSA is little sh*t. We should be more concerned about fixing Capitol Hill, state and local government and the parties to force them to actually legislate rather than put on a show, band aid legislation and get reelected.

What it really comes down too is philosophy. I support the anti terror war and the invasion of Iraq and possibly future nations. I find these actions just and legal and have desired action for almost 30 years. Those who do not accept it will of course cry foul at domestic spying because they are against this war, blaming it all on Bush and the "NEOCON" conspericy.
Hell, if the entire conflict is all Bush's great conyving sceme to bushwhack us, then domestic NSA spying must be part of his grand deceptive plan to take over, right?

[WolverineBlue]

I looked at the engineering document about the room and the fiber splices. There are a couple of Juniper routers, including one big-ass backbone router, and a server that is used to sniff IP traffic. Boring to the layperson, but fun for geeks like me.

[EvanL]

I looked at the engineering document about the room and the fiber splices. There are a couple of Juniper routers, including one big-ass backbone router, and a server that is used to sniff IP traffic. Boring to the layperson, but fun for geeks like me.
I would give you an atomic wedgie right now if only this wasn't the internet. And then I'd steal your pocket protector and flush it down the toilet. And don't bother crying for FG either. She's busy being distracted by the kid with the gimpy leg.

[Firetxmi]

I looked at the engineering document about the room and the fiber splices. There are a couple of Juniper routers, including one big-ass backbone router, and a server that is used to sniff IP traffic. Boring to the layperson, but fun for geeks like me.

What does this mean to the layperson? What are these particular pieces of equipment typically used for?

[Durandal]

In what way is this incriminating? The NSA isn't breaking any laws.

They are if they are logging calls made by Americans TO Americans.

On top of that there are certain privacy agreements in the contracts of the phone companies. Verizon has one in my contract. The information is NOT to be given out. THey WOULD have to comply with a court order/warrant, but that is different.

Yep...get that class action suit going.

THe NSA MAY in fact HAVE broken laws...if they are engaging in un-restricted data collection of American citizens...with no court oversight, then yeah, they are breaking the law big time.