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            US Federal Judge Upholds NSA Phone Surveillance Program

   A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the National Security Agency`s
   telephone surveillance program is legal and useful in fighting
   terrorism..
   District Judge William Pauley said in a written statement Friday that
   the bulk collection of telephone records is a "counter-punch" to
   terrorism that does not violate Americans` privacy rights.
   Pauley dismissed a lawsuit filed in Manhattan (New York) by the
   American Civil Liberties Union to challenge the program. His ruling
   contradicted an earlier decision by a district judge in Washington who
   said the NSA program was likely unconstitutional. That judge stayed the
   effect of his ruling, pending a government appeal.
   Pauley said the mass collection of phone data "significantly increases
   the NSA`s capability to detect the faintest patterns left behind by
   individuals affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations." He said
   the data collected by the NSA enables the agency to detect connections
   it might otherwise never be able to find. Citing the September 11th,
   2001 terrorist attacks, Pauley said the cost of missing such
   connections can be horrific.
   The NSA surveillance program was revealed earlier this year by former
   NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who took thousands of records from the
   agency. His disclosures about the government`s surveillance operations
   have angered many Americans concerned about privacy rights.
   Snowden fled the country and is now living in Russia. He is wanted by
   the United States on charges of espionage.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-federal-judge-upholds-nsa-phone-su
   rveillance-program/1818965.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-federal-judge-upholds-nsa-phone-surveillance-program/1818965.html