My data is already bought and sold by companies. But when government agencies do it, suddenly we only need to stop them. Stop this madness. It shouldn’t matter if it’s corporations or a government, why not stop the sale of people’s data?

    • Anyolduser@lemmynsfw.com
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      9 months ago

      Sure, but ex post facto is a thing. If people feel that this should be illegal they should write their representatives, but this headline is disingenuous.

      Actions are only illegal if they were against the law at the time they were taken. If fireworks become illegal on July 5th I can’t be found guilty for shooting them off on July 4th.

      The headline implies the NSA broke a law that does not exist, actively misleading those who read it. Shame on the “journalist” or editor that wrote it. Fabricated criticisms and grievances dilute genuine ones.

      • Moira_Mayhem@beehaw.org
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        9 months ago

        If people feel that this should be illegal they should write their representatives

        Waste of time and paper and you know that. Our representatives that would support us in this, and not just reply with a form letter, already know and push the issues but they are a minority in congress.

        If fireworks become illegal on July 5th I can’t be found guilty for shooting them off on July 4th.

        I’m more concerned with making sure it doesn’t happen in the future. If that means everyone being shitbags in the past get a free pass, maybe that’s worth it.

        The headline implies the NSA broke a law that does not exist,

        It sure would be nice if the PATRIOT act hadn’t fucked everyone’s opinion on privacy.

        • Anyolduser@lemmynsfw.com
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          9 months ago

          All of this is at best tangential.

          The NSA broke no law. The article’s headline implies that the NSA broke the law. This headline is misleading.

            • Anyolduser@lemmynsfw.com
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              9 months ago

              Yes, wanting factual, unbiased journalism truly is the greatest form of simping.

              You clearly didn’t read the tail end of my original comment. Fabricated grievances dilute genuine ones. This publication is crying wolf. This makes people pay less attention when news breaks about an actual fuckup.

                • esaru@beehaw.org
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                  9 months ago

                  The fact that the NSA was apparently not breaking the law is actually more infuriating and shifts focus on the need to change the law, which is opposing the government. You see, it’s always better to stick to the facts if you want to change things to the better.

                  • Moira_Mayhem@beehaw.org
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                    9 months ago

                    And I’ve found that facts have been largely irrelevant in nearly every level of social discourse for the last 15 years.

                    Especially when it comes to government.

                    I know it’s comforting to believe that isn’t the case, that humanity is at base level rational and reasonable.

                    Unfortunately this is a lie. The significant majority of humanity only follow rationality as far as it will help them achieve their goals.

                    I cannot even count any more how often I have been objectively, factually right and was dismissed for not saying it in a way that they would like, which is abandoning factual accuracy to preserve certain comfortable illusions.

                    So I’ve largely given up on wasting my time and effort to bring objective facts to people on the internet and in my government.

                    I find that the best way to change things for the better is to get out in the streets and shout a lot.

      • Moira_Mayhem@beehaw.org
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        9 months ago

        then maybe you should limit your ‘chilling effect’ replies as to not damp down the fervor for change that is starting to develop in response to government overreach.

        Arguing that it isn’t unconstitutional isn’t productive if you want to see it changed.

        You don’t have to be a Devil’s Advocate for bad government policy.

        • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
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          9 months ago

          Maybe you should work on your chill, buddy, because I was asking a question. I don’t know if the SC has ever ruled on whether the government is allowed to purchase commercially available information without a warrant.

          I made no argument in favor of the practice. In fact, I went out of my way to state that I disagreed with the practice.

          But you’re well aware of that, aren’t you?

          • Moira_Mayhem@beehaw.org
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            9 months ago

            I bet you think if you lick that boot good enough they won’t step on your neck with it.

            So fucking naive.

            Also I already reported your sockpuppets, enjoy the ban.