A top American intelligence agency has refuted claims that the National Security Agency can listen into domestic phone conversations without warrants.
“The statement that a single analyst can eavesdrop on domestic communications without proper legal authorisation is incorrect and was not briefed to Congress,” Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) said in a statement yesterday.
The DNI statement came following a report by American tech media website CNET, which claimed in a classified briefing lawmakers were told that NSA analysts were allowed to listed to domestic phone calls without prior warrant.
“Members have been briefed on the implementation of Section 702, that it targets foreigners located overseas for a valid foreign intelligence purpose, and that it cannot be used to target Americans anywhere in the world,” DNI said.