DEA Sued Over Secret Mass Surveillance Of Phone Calls

[avcpl]

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/08/dea-sued-over-secret-mass-surveillance-of-phone-calls/

The backlash against the federal government’s surveillance programs continues. This time, the folks at Human Rights Watch have filed suit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, alleging that the DEA’s bulk collection of data related to certain phone calls made by the organization runs afoul of basic protections afforded by the Constitution.
According to the complaint [PDF] filed yesterday in a federal court in California, the DEA is collecting, retaining, searching, and disseminating information about calls made between Rights Watch staffers and people in certain countries — and that all this data gathering is being done “without any suspicion of wrongdoing and without any judicial authorization or oversight.”

 

[neversickanymore]

Good for Human Rights Watch and good for us

 

[ro4eva]

I believe they have a good case to do so, since this mass surveillance by the DEA can be used to target certain vulnerable minorities who are then exploited with a warped interpretation of laws and policies such as Stop 'n Frisk, Asset Forfeiture, and Mandatory Minimums. Thoughts?

 

[SteamboatBillJr]

This isn't just the DEA. The majority of invasive surveillance and covert internet operations occur through the National Security Agency and other organizations.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Government Surveillance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEVlyP4_11M

The recent developments in in the South Carolina murder of Walter Scott exemplify the dangers of these secret programs.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/08/south-carolina-walter-scott-shooting-audio-video
In the above GIF police officer Michael Slager is shown depositing evidence (presumably a Taser) on the corpse of Walter Scott. Police officer Michael Slager shot Walter Scott in the back repeatedly without warning as Walter Scoctt attempted fleeing the danger.

Government officials often abuse their power. With uniformed police abuses of power can be recorded and the the police officers held accountable. Just as the murder and framing of Walter Scott was recorded in the above GIF. This is impossible with secret invasive surveillance, covert internet operations, and the secret police involved.

When members of the American National Security Agency and other covert American agencies abuse their power and harm innocent civilians citizens can't defend themselves or seek retribution. This is the danger with secret surveillance and secret police.