I just heard recently from a teacher at school that the CIA records all of our phone calls. Is this true?

Question

If it is, how long have they been doing it because my teacher said since before we were born (we being my class) and I'm 14. Comments?

ok, I actually already knew the answer to this because I looked it up lol. The answer is yes, and if you don't believe me, here is a link to a website to look at it. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm

Answer 1

They only record the calls that involve certain key words. When one of those words is spoken over the phone the call is monitored and if it is deemed a threatening call the CIA will establish surveillance on the person who made the threat until they can get enough evidence to arrest and interrogate them.

Answer 2

1 . You teachers is wrong .
2. The CIA is forbidden to run covert operations in the US , the NSA & or the FBI handle domestic wiretaps
3. How hard is it to get a phone call intercepted ( EASY) when the voice signal is converted from a analog signal to a digital signal on a voice line there is a very recognizable pattern that a computer can be made to recogonize.( BTW works best over fiber optic lines) I know this is a very simplified version . If you really want to understand wiretaps and capturing calls , the best way is to read the feature manuel of either Nortel DMS system or Lucent 5ESS ,95% of a major RBOC's use these switches in there central offices
4 Most people agree that 1994 was about the time the govt got real serious about listining in
5. DCS 1000, Carnavore , Echelon are all US Govt spy programs all the answers are there

Answer 3

First off, click on the link that you provided and read it a little closer. It clearly states in there that the NSA, not the CIA, operates a "data mining" program, that does NOT involved recording calls or their contents, but analyzing the nature of the call (what number makes the call, what number receives the call, etc.) for patterns. It also clearly states that the information turned over from the phone companies does NOT include the customer's personal information or any other identifying information other than the number itself. Also, you should note that in the program that this article refers to, the NSA only has contact with the information turned over to them by the phone companies. They are not actually analyzing the calls themselves, they are just receiving a copy of the information relevant to the "data mining", which is merely the search for patterns.

Your teacher sounds like he/she did not truly research the topic they were discussing and instead threw you out into the world with just enough information to be dangerous. It is lack of full information like this that leads people to do stupid things without knowing what's really going on.

Next time, do a little bit deeper research before coming to a definite conclusion. Never take just one source's version. Find several articles or books, written by different people. In today's world, anything involving the law/politics is extremely complicated. If you really want to make a difference, get informed, but do it all the way. Don't stop once you find a little bit of information. Gather every piece of information you can find before making up your mind.

Answer 4

Yes. But to say its the CIA is just a guess. It could be the NSA or a group unknown to us. The system works by code word and phrases such as bomb and kill the president will cause a recording to start on that line for a unknown time. Also any library book you check is on record along with any and all internet purchases you have made. Blogs and some chatrooms are now covered, and most emails in US that give or receive transmissions from overseas. The invasion of your private life has just begun, prepare for the worst.

Answer 5

I find it difficult to believe that the CIA has been recording all calls since 1992. The disk/tape space alone would make this impossible in those days. Nowadays, it is possible, but it would be an ultra-secret program and your teacher certainly wouldn't know about it.

Answer 6

Uhhh the CIA doesn't have jurisdiction in the United States. Everything they do is outside of this country.

Answer 7

They keep a record of alot of the phone calls, it is not what is said, but what telephone number calls what telephone number and the length of the call ( basicly a copy of your phone bill)

Answer 8

They check them for code words and record any with code words. NSA "Echelon" program. That sent up a flag, right there!!

Answer 9

Ah yes, the teachers who think they have it so bad, yet they get to push their own conspiracy thoughts and beliefs on our youth of today.

Answer 10

Question everythying that you are taught. Understand both sides of the story. "The victors write history".