Wikimedia sues NSA for mass internet surveillance

[gilm0re3]

Well, someone was bound to do it.

 

 

 

 

 

Wikimedia, probably most well known as the organization running Wikipedia, is filing a lawsuit today against the NSA and the Department of Justice.  The reason being that they claim the US Government is directly intercepting vast amounts of private data by tapping into the internet infrastructure, such as using undersea cables. 

 

"Our aim in filing this suit is to end this mass surveillance program in order to protect the rights of our users around the world." - Wikimedia

 

One of the main reasons, it seems, that the NSA is able to capture so much of our private citizens' data all goes back to 2008 where under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Act the NSA was allowed to monitor the data of "non-US persons." However, through a major loophole, the NSA is able to intercept the data of millions of Americans by "casting a wide net" over them as they search for intelligence from these "non US persons."

 

Wikimedia claims that through these tactics they violate the freedoms given to them under both the First and Fourth Amendments. These rights include the right to free speech and the right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure. Not only that, but they claim that this mass surveillance also violates Article III of the US Constitution, which puts in place the authorities that the US courts posses.

 

Unfortunately, Wikimedia and the eight other companies supporting this lawsuit face a hard time getting this case to be considered in the first place. To have their case considered, the plaintiffs will have to show beyond doubt that they were all affected by the NSA's surveillance.

In turn, the NSA and DOJ can claim that the plaintiffs can't know that their data was being seized since it supposedly should be being kept private and out of their sight.

 

For Wales and Tretikov, however, there can be no other option: "Privacy is an essential right. It makes freedom of expression possible, and sustains freedom of inquiry and association. It empowers us to read, write, and communicate in confidence, without fear of persecution. Knowledge flourishes where privacy is protected."

 

Man. This one of those times where you really wish something would happen, but you know it won't. 

Even if Wikimedia doesn't win this case, I really hope it can help shed some light on the shadiness of the government agency that is supposed to be protecting our privacy, not invading it.

 

 

 

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/10/8181651/wikipedia-sues-nsa-surveillance

 

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[brownninja97]

interesting

[Admiral Naismith]

I just want them to post dank memes on the NSA's website ._.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will do though.

[KirbyTech]

"NSA and DOJ can claim that the plaintiffs can't know that their data was being seized since it supposedly should be being kept private and out of their sight" I see this pretty much as admitting they were doing it but saying haha you can't legally get us. Wish someone would hack them and release the data so it becomes public knowledge and useful in this or similar cases. I know no one will though sadly.

[s3ns3]

good

[SurvivorNVL]

I never would've thought it would be wikipedia to do this.  Go Wikipedia!

[Rising]

Not only that, but they claim that this mass surveillance also violates Article III of the US Constitution, which puts in place the authorities that the US courts posses.

Did they state why they believe this violated article 3 of the constitution, or did they say what specifically the courts did that was overstepping their given powers?

[gilm0re3]

Did they state why they believe this violated article 3 of the constitution, or did they say what specifically the courts did that was overstepping their given powers?

 

I believe it was the latter. The way I understood it was that they basically were "going above and beyond the call of duty" and were doing more than they should be as far as internet surveillance.

[Rising]

I believe it was the latter. The way I understood it was that they basically were "going above and beyond the call of duty" and were doing more than they should be as far as internet surveillance.

Well yes but that would be the NSA who is doing the surveillance, not the US courts.

[gilm0re3]

Well yes but that would be the NSA who is doing the surveillance, not the US courts.

Correct. Sorry if I was misconstrued.

[Rising]

Correct. Sorry if I was misconstrued.

No problem, I'm just curiouse what t is the courts have allegedly done

[Memphaestus]

It would be awesome if somehow Wikimedia contacts Snowden and they release documents giving this case proper footing and exonerating Snowden at the same time.  We need to bury the NSA.

[Trik'Stari]

Even though I know it wont, it would be nice to see the supreme court step in and bitchsmack the NSA and say "STOP THAT".

[Norman_the_Owl]

Eh, we all know it's not going to stop. Even if they get in trouble, they'll just create a new agency and defund the NSA...

[Slash003]

Even though I know it wont, it would be nice to see the supreme court step in and bitchsmack the NSA and say "STOP THAT".

This. It'd be nice to have it happen but mostlikely NSA's gonna black mail the courts to release personal info if the court makes em pay. But good luck stomp that bitch organization down!

[Mushious]

So they can't ge tenough donations from their users, they're going after the NSA now? I'm cool with that.

[Tonylu1595]

I guess i'll be using Wikipedia more.

[Victorious Secret]

Even though I know it wont, it would be nice to see the supreme court step in and bitchsmack the NSA and say "STOP THAT".

 

SCOTUS only steps in when the constitution is being harmed. 

 

Clearly they don't think the constitution means shit. 

[Trik'Stari]

SCOTUS only steps in when the constitution is being harmed. 

 

Clearly they don't think the constitution means shit. 

Damn you for reminding me of reality.

[Zeruel]

The government should fear the people...one day one day...

[kpreg]

Maybe if I show my IT teacher this he'll let me use wikipedia

[Blackie Sheen]

It really surprises me that wikimedia is going for such a large sue case because, if I recall corectly they are funded by donations by users so how would they even pay for such a case

[TechCzech]

Wikipedia Foundation partnered with American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as well as Amnesty International USA, Human Rights Watch and PEN American Center.

Whole section on NSA on ACLU website...
https://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/nsa

A word from Amnesty International USA...
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/amnesty-international-usa-joins-aclu-wikimedia-in-lawsuit-to-stop-mass-surveillance-program

PEN joins as well...
http://www.pen.org/press-release/2015/03/10/pen-joins-aclu-lawsuit-stop-mass-internet-spying-program

[gilm0re3]

Wikipedia Foundation partnered with American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as well as Amnesty International USA, Human Rights Watch and PEN American Center.

 

Thanks for the extra info

[SIGSEGV]

YEAH! GO WIKIMEDIA! WOOOOOOOOOOO!