Q&A: What is Prism, what does it do, is it legal and what data can it obtain?
Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Q. What is Prism?
It is a previously unknown programme run in the United States by the National Security Agency (NSA) to access data held by the world’s major internet companies, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo and Skype.
Q. What data can it obtain?
Detailed information about online activity, crucially including the contents of emails and live chat.
Q. How long has this been going on?
It is said to have been established in 2007 under changes to US surveillance laws passed by President George Bush and renewed last year by Barack Obama.
Q. How has this emerged?
Through a secret NSA presentation to staff which talks of “collection directly from the servers” of internet providers.
Q. How have the companies responded?
They deny knowledge of the programme despite the detail of the NSA presentation.
Q. How does this affect Britain?
As the primary sites of all the world’s major internet companies are in the United States, it means every communication by a UK national can in theory be read by NSA agents.
Q. Is this legal?
This is not clear, and privacy campaigners in Britain are investigating whether there are grounds for a legal challenge. Experts say the legislation covering the issue is sketchy.
Further reading:
GCHQ handed personal web data by US spies
Prism and the US internet giants: The relationship and the numbers
Obama defends NSA and FBI mining private data
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments