NSA Surveillance Programs

Definition

NSA (National Security Agency) surveillance programs are government initiatives designed to collect and analyze data from various sources in order to identify potential threats to national security. These programs have been controversial due to concerns over privacy and the extent of government surveillance.

Related terms

Patriot Act: A legislation passed after 9/11 that expanded the U.S. government's surveillance powers and allowed for increased monitoring of communication.

Metadata: Information about phone calls, including numbers dialed, call duration, and location data, which can be collected by surveillance programs.

Edward Snowden: A former NSA contractor who leaked classified documents in 2013 revealing the extent of government surveillance programs.