FROM: http://rt.com/usa/158460-cia-director-m ... ll-people/
Published time: May 12, 2014 18:27
Edited time: May 12, 2014 19:27
Former National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Michael Hayden (Reuters/Larry Downing)
Tags
Al-Qaeda, Arms, CIA, Conflict, Drones, Hacking, Human rights, Information Technology, Intelligence, Internet, Law, Politics, Scandal, SciTech, Security, Terrorism, USA
At a recent debate concerning the National Security Agency’s bulk surveillance programs, former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden admitted that metadata is used as the basis for killing people.
The comments were made during a debate at Johns Hopkins University, after Georgetown University Law Center professor David Cole detailed the kind of information the government can obtain simply by collecting metadata – who you call, when you call them, how long the call lasts, and how often calls between the two parties are made.
Although NSA supporters often claim such metadata collection is permissible considering the content of the call is not collected, Cole argued that is not the case, since the former general counsel of the NSA, Stewart Baker, has already stated metadata alone is more than enough to reveal vast amounts of an individual’s personal information
Writing in the New York Review of Books, Cole elaborated (you can also watch his explanation around the 14 minute mark of the embedded video):
“Of course knowing the content of a call can be crucial to establishing a particular threat. But metadata alone can provide an extremely detailed picture of a person’s most intimate associations and interests, and it’s actually much easier as a technological matter to search huge amounts of metadata than to listen to millions of phone calls. As NSA General Counsel Stewart Baker has said, 'metadata absolutely tells you everything about somebody’s life. If you have enough metadata, you don’t really need content.'
“When I quoted Baker at a recent debate at Johns Hopkins University, my opponent, General Michael Hayden, former director of the NSA and the CIA, called Baker’s comment 'absolutely correct,' and raised him one, asserting, ‘We kill people based on metadata.’”
Hayden paused after making this statement – around the 18 minute mark of the video – and then qualified it by adding, “but that’s not what we do with this metadata.”
Presumably, when Hayden emphasizes “this metadata,” he is referring to the information collected from American citizens. As RT reported in February, the US is already using metadata to select targets for drone strikes around the world. In a report for the Intercept, an unnamed drone operator – backed up by documents leaked by Edward Snowden – said the agency analyzes metadata as well as mobile-tracking technology to determine targets, without employing human intelligence to confirm a suspect’s identity.
Screenshot from YouTube user Johns Hopkins
“People get hung up that there’s a targeted list of people,” the operator said. “It’s really like we’re targeting a cell phone. We’re not going after people – we’re going after their phones, in the hopes that the person on the other end of that missile is the bad guy.”
According to Cole, the realization that the NSA is collecting such vast amounts of information has prompted action from both Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Last week, two committees in the House of Representatives recently voted unanimously to support the USA Freedom Act, which would bar the NSA from collecting metadata in bulk. The data would remain in the possession of telecommunications companies, only to be accessed by the government if it can prove reasonable suspicion to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
As noted by Cole, however, the bill doesn’t address all the facets of the NSA’s surveillance program. As its currently written, the Freedom Act only applies to American citizens, not foreigners who are also under surveillance, nor does it address what he termed the NSA’s “guerilla-like tactics of inserting vulnerabilities into computer software and drivers, to be exploited later to surreptitiously intercept private communications.”
As RT reported previously, the NSA designed at least two encryption tools offered by the security firm RSA – one of which was made the default option, and which allowed the NSA to easily infiltrate computer security systems.
Comments (112)
Nemo Impune 13.05.2014 06:02
No surprise at all, all expected. Everybody who watches Hollywood products, knows that it works this way. And Hollywood is so proud of the "good guys" that it doesn't even question the legitimacy of those killings. The "license to kill" is already given when you are US.
Slow Magic 13.05.2014 05:35
If cmos setting get reset computers cannot access correct meta data until the time setting have been set properly back.
Open your PC up, there is a small circle battery inside... REMOVE IT, that is how they get into your PC.
lennchma 13.05.2014 05:32
Whaaat? This is war crime! CIA should be closed immediately.
Slow Magic 13.05.2014 05:28
Well to be fair what these people are doing is totally illegal it's just a matter of people giving a hoot and stopping them.
It's only a matter of time before they all die from old age...
gotta to understand it's just that older generation they are the crazies. They have used the younger generations to develop AMAZING computer technology then they took them and made these programs.
They deserve to be locked away for what they have stolen from American youth. F them, I might just design anti meta data bots that infest the web and target meta data and delete it.
FilthyRatBastard 13.05.2014 05:24
God my English is so bad...you wouldn't believe I was born in America. God my onstar doesn't even understand my Boston accent, wish there was a spell check.
FilthyRatBastard 13.05.2014 05:20
Democracy was gone long ago...America. Just look up the The Homestead Strike when Andrew Carnegie hired the Pinkertons to fight striking workers. Or the truth behind Billy the Kid and many American "Outlaws". ..people worship many of these so called outlaws for trying to fight corparate greed. In todays we just have a bunch of loosers talking on their I-phones complaining about corparate greed right before an election and then vanish into thin air while the Government does away with campain finance laws...nothing has changed and American corparations have killed more people than anyone can imagine!
JJ 13.05.2014 04:51
"democracy" ; is at work in US here ..........
Ameri ca is gone ......
Ballance 13.05.2014 04:14
Slowly but steadily, year by year the democracy is losing its basis and hypocrisy is sneaking and eroding its founding principles. Paradoxically but fact: style and methods typical to the former communist "nomeklature&qu ot; has settle in the heads of the democratic governments. What is today's meaning of Democracy then? - Does someone know the answer?
Šibanje Napuš 13.05.2014 04:12
Perhaps someone should kill that piece of mental garbage that promotes murder -- but making sure to do it slowly, cutting its limbs and other body parts during at least a week -- as a part of metajustice?
N.B.: Just wondering. Thinking aloud about what's right and wrong. Not suggesting that anyone in particular should commit any individual and particular crime.
But not denying them that right either!
jea se 13.05.2014 04:10
quote name='Зефир' time='12.05.2014 23:50'
"I can just see This guy and Hillory and obama huddled around:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble."
Hillarious

jea se 13.05.2014 04:00
"we kill people based on metadata. hahahaha" -- disgusting snivelling SOB. He laughs showing the great pleasure he takes in killing. When he burns in he11, it will be real funny too -- hahahaha.
robert heartland 13.05.2014 03:56
Why do these creepy generals run the CIA? And in uniform as well! No separation of the government branches there! How transparent it has become America. Where the gorillas and knuckle draggers in planet of the apes run the government. Right out in the open in front of all Americans this is done! And they make these inflammatory bowel statements on camera and then say sheepishly "Oh but we don't do that here in the US! BS.
Jeff 13.05.2014 03:52
So we could get droned someday for reading this! The people running the show are twisted and people don't understand twisted. It's just a sick game with no aim at peace for our fellows. We are evolving fast, we are strong, our hearts are good, they tell us we are week and have no power, but we make this world go round! Let's be like the Mexicans and take care of it cuz our rulers will not. We are all brothers and sisters and much stronger and content this way...
Ally Hauptmann-Gurski 13.05.2014 03:47
Angela Merkel is pretty lucky then that she's still alive. Mistakes do happen but they probably have explanations on file should a mistake occur.
RichardD 13.05.2014 03:24
A death sentence without even knowing what was said, a massive injustice.
SMERSH 13.05.2014 03:22
Former CIA director: ‘We kill people based on metadata’
Yes, but now the goat herders are all throwing their sim cards into a hat to be redistributed randomly.
IllyaK 13.05.2014 03:18
I kill people based on their involvement with NSA.
JJ 13.05.2014 03:13
Not just a war monger US but also a serial killer .....
brothalan@mac.com 13.05.2014 02:41
"we kill people based on meta-data" is an over reaction. The real issue is that privet industry has more power than our government. That is not good. As an American I am concerned of the power pull that some American industry has. Any one entity either government or industry with too much power must be kept in check. I am fortunate to live in a country that has the capability. However, with a brainwash populace we have defaulted to handing over power.
snidelaw 13.05.2014 02:40
It's strange how my admonishment of rt got through there. Makes you think someone other than rt has a little more power over this site than you might expect. What a shame.
snidelaw 13.05.2014 02:34
Why the censorship rt? Something smells dirty and rotten here. I' feel let down with this re capture sol message I'm treated to so much. To fight in a few words is all us debtors can do. What's the story then?
Sean 13.05.2014 02:24
This is really just vigilantism by a state who falsely claims to respect international and domestic laws...
Montana Tony Vargas 13.05.2014 02:15
There killing everyone with gases oil microwaves , laser beams, frequencyS, and chips , pay more attention Americans.....chemtr ails.....
Robert Elliot 13.05.2014 01:19
They are killing people who may have just said something against the US gov - probably milder than most Americans say almost every day. And they have a thousand more reasons to feel that way. So outrageous.
Kevin Hutchinson 13.05.2014 01:13
How is the US assassination program (via drones) not itself terrorism? It seems entirely hypocritical to claim to be a free and civil society based on the rule of law (e.g. Habeas corpus) yet to prosecute a targeted killing program around the world (Yemen, Pakistan, etc).
Mark Bradley 13.05.2014 00:51
So here we have it -straight from the horses a$$es mouth " we kill based on metadata "...So all the " its only meta data " excuses are the insidious lies observant persons have always claimed.
wilson 13.05.2014 00:16
Nirbijan Lastone 13.05.2014 00:11
It IS absolutely psychotic.But who dare to change that with Patriot Act in action ?
Y eah, Even Secretary of United States of America Mr. John Kerry has to be prepared to face the "wrath of God."

Dan Faster 13.05.2014 00:13
Yur sure look like a NAZI to me
RichardD 13.05.2014 00:12
[quote name='Juanita' time='12.05.2014 23:00']
search for : 'Complete 911 Timeline' on historycommons. Org
[/quote ]
See Dr. Judy Wood's work on the directed energy weaponry used to take down the WTC:
Where did the towers go?
Nirbijan Lastone 13.05.2014 00:11
Dan Faster 12.05.2014 23:48
To the public
Do you understand how pyschotic this statement is. Do you and can you recognise it?
Former CIA director: ‘We kill people based on metadata’
It IS absolutely psychotic.But who dare to change that with Patriot Act in action ?
Зефир 13.05.2014 00:11
paul Floody 13.05.2014 00:02
Do they ever tire of endless killing. From drone operator to C.I.A director ,I don't know how they will look back on their lives as their grandchildren are being scrutinised by a computer and killed by a Chinese drone that sees them as a threat.
No Death is profit to them, until the dollar dies. do your part to make that happen.
SCOTT WILLIAMS 13.05.2014 00:10
WOW! He told the truth, an American politico! A true miracle straight out of Heaven Thank You God...AMEN!
wilson 13.05.2014 00:10
Зефир 12.05.2014 23:59
No excuse me, they're done , and so are you!
I am not associated with them. I wish.

Richard 13.05.2014 00:04
Megadeth 12.05.2014 23:39
App arently my government hasn't been doing a good job because it's apparent you need a Hellfire shot through your front door. Hopefully via a drone
P.S. Megadeth is so 1970's perhaps you might opt for another irrelevant band name........ say the B52's or something. Nah, your definitely a violent fems kind of guy....... ; )
killer frames 13.05.2014 00:03
Puts new meaning behind AT&Ts old tagline 'reach out, reach out and touch someone....'
paul Floody 13.05.2014 00:02
Do they ever tire of endless killing. From drone operator to C.I.A director ,I don't know how they will look back on their lives as their grandchildren are being scrutinised by a computer and killed by a Chinese drone that sees them as a threat.
Зефир 12.05.2014 23:59
wilson 12.05.2014 23:57
Ye ah, CIA & Federal Reserve is above the law. If you question that, you are done.

No excuse me, they're done , and so are you!
Richard 12.05.2014 23:57
Megadeth 12.05.2014 23:39
App arently my government hasn't been doing a good job because it's apparent you need a Hellfire shot through your front door. Hopefully via a drone
My,My,My, Mr. Bomb Iran is at it again. Let me guess moomy put you up for adoption when you were just a retarded child............ : )
wilson 12.05.2014 23:57
Nirbijan Lastone 12.05.2014 23:52
Ya p. There is just one small problem. Americans are allowed to talk as much as they want, but not allowed to change anyhing or make their ow decisions about theeir country. Like hidden dictatorship of NSA/CIA
Even president is no allowed to know the whole truth about their operations and budget
Ye ah, CIA & Federal Reserve is above the law. If you question that, you are done.

Nirbijan Lastone 12.05.2014 23:52
Kenneth Vest 12.05.2014 23:43
Both distinguished panelist asserted that we must give up privacy for security....that's all I needed to know. I guess neither respected the advice of Thomas Paine, nor care to. An
Ya p. There is just one small problem. Americans are allowed to talk as much as they want, but not allowed to change anyhing or make their ow decisions about theeir country. Like hidden dictatorship of NSA/CIA
Even president is no allowed to know the whole truth about their operations and budget
Зефир 12.05.2014 23:50
I can just see This guy and Hillory and obama huddled around:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Dan Faster 12.05.2014 23:48
To the public
Do you understand how pyschotic this statement is. Do you and can you recognise it?
Former CIA director: ‘We kill people based on metadata’
Dan Faster 12.05.2014 23:46
Megadeth 12.05.2014 23:39