NSA snooping 'illegal, violates privacy'

quote:

---

A report released by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board concluded the NSA's huge phone metadata program is illegal in several ways, and provides little or no value to the fight against terrorism.

The 238-page report said the program "has shown minimal value in safeguarding the nation from terrorism."

And the panel said the program is not authorized by the Patriot Act, the law passed following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

It said it violates constitutional guarantees of free speech and protection against unreasonable searches, and also fails to comply with a federal privacy law.
...
But the five-member panel, which began work in 2012, years after Congress called for its creation, was split in its conclusions. Two members said they disagreed with key conclusions on the NSA program's legality and effectiveness.

---