The Science of Surveillance

Presented at HOPE X (2014), July 20, 2014, 1 p.m. (60 minutes).

The National Security Agency is bound by legal constraints. It hasn't always followed the rules, to be sure. But when it does, are constitutional and statutory safeguards effective in protecting our privacy? This talk presents empirical computer science research on the NSA's legal restrictions, including results cited by President Obama's intelligence review group. We find that present limits on bulk surveillance programs come up far short. Authorities intercept international Internet traffic and enable the monitoring of ordinary Americans' online activities. The domestic telephone metadata program reaches much of the population, and allows for drawing extraordinarily sensitive inferences about medical conditions, firearm ownership, and more.


Presenters:

  • Jonathan Mayer
    Jonathan Mayer is a lawyer and a computer scientist. He teaches at Stanford Law School and is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Stanford University. Jonathan was named one of the "Forbes 30 Under 30" in 2014 for his work on technology security and privacy. His research and commentary frequently appear in national publications, and he has contributed to federal and state policy making and law enforcement.

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