A few days ago, a new unprecedented scandal came to light, according to which the largest internet giants such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo, Apple, etc. are obliged to share data regarding their users' electronic communications with the NSA and the FBI under the secret PRISM.
Such scenarios have been circulating for many years, but for the first time, tangible evidence has been made public that American security services are massively extracting information from the servers of the aforementioned companies.
Google's stance
While initially - like most companies - Google denied the existence of any agreement with the two government agencies, it later changed its stance and decided to speak directly about how it provides access to its users' data.
According to what was revealed by the company's spokesperson, Chris Gaither, the search giant does not provide direct access to its servers but has a dedicated dropbox server for the NSA where files are transferred via FTP, while more rarely they are printed and delivered hand-to-hand.
Google has since asked US Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Mueller to allow it to release all orders it has received from the government regarding the secret PRISM program. As it says in its letter, its purpose is to clarify to the public that its involvement is not as extensive as previously reported.
Who does PRISM concern?
PRISM may be related to communications within the US, but that does not mean it is an American affair and does not concern Europe. After all, as long as we use American-origin services and communicate with US residents, we can in no way assume that we remain unaffected.
In order to clear up the murky landscape, European Commissioner Viviane Reding has asked for clarification on PRISM and other possible “secret” surveillance programs in a letter she sent to Eric Holder. Among the questions she raised were whether the program also targets European Union citizens, what kind of data the US authorities have access to and how one can prevent their communications from being monitored. The European Commissioner is expected to meet with Eric Holder in Dublin within the next few days to discuss all these key issues in person.
Besides, besides the US, there are many countries that ask technology companies to provide them with data on their users, with notable examples being Great Britain, France, Germany, Turkey and the other countries listed below:
On the other hand, there are quite a few EU members who are reacting to PRISM, stating that it goes against their legislation and asking the European Commission to intervene, first and foremost Finland.
What does it matter if I have nothing to hide?
Some may wonder what harm PRISM can do to you if you have nothing to hide. The point is that everyone has something to hide even if it is not related to a criminal or terrorist act and it should be an inalienable right to be able to protect their privacy and personal data. In other words, even if you have nothing to hide and no one ever interferes with your phone conversations, messages and emails, you have to live with the thought that something like this could happen at any time.
Who benefits from PRISM?
It is obvious that the main beneficiaries are the encryption companies, since users now understand the risk and turn to their products. Companies like Silent Circle, GNUPG and Cryptocat provide end-to-end encryption, which means that in order for someone to gain access to your data, they have to request it directly from you.
How can I protect my data?
Unfortunately, if you want to keep your data safe, you'll have to forget about smartphone conversations, Google searches, Facebook visits, Skype, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Google Drive and look for other less common alternatives. Otherwise, we'll have to hope that the reactions of more than 85 major organizations and the vast majority of ordinary users will prove capable of putting an end to the secret US surveillance program.
Source: techgear.gr
