The metadata trap
Metadata surveillance explained
Metadata is the basis of mass surveillance systems, the scope of which is being fastly accelerated with Artificial Intelligence (AI). While encryption protects the content of our communications, metadata about everything we do online is being compiled to track our behavior and profile us. Nym tracks the history of metadata surveillance, the agents behind it, how this affects people’s daily lives, and what we can all do to protect our data. Research now shows that metadata may be the most overlooked – and exploited – privacy threat of our time
What is metadata?
Metadata means information about information. All digital information has metadata: an image file will specify size and location, and a message to a friend will show your IP address and timestamps. Metadata provides context about your data. Importantly, metadata is visible even when content is encrypted. The question is what does metadata reveal about us, and why are so many entities on the web collecting it?
“Metadata absolutely tells you everything about somebody’s life. If you have enough metadata, you don’t really need content.”
– NSA’s General Counsel, Stewart Baker
What does metadata reveal about you?
Who you are
Where you are
Who you talk to
What you do online
When & how often you do it
A brief history of metadata surveillance
- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is passed in response to intelligence abuses by the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping on thousands of people.
Special FISA court established to review secret government requests before conducting electronic surveillance on U.S. persons. However, the use of metadata tools are subject to less judicial scrutiny.
2001 USA PATRIOT Act signed into US law
Domestic surveillance programs were significantly broadened after the events of 9/11 through the PATRIOT act. Title II extends the metadata collection capabilities outlined in FISA so they apply to both US citizens and non-citizens. Section 215 allows bulk collection of phone metadata.
2002: NSA’s “Stellar Wind” begins
Secret surveillance program authorized by President Bush collects email metadata, internet activity logs, and phone call records of U.S. citizens without warrants. Operated in partnership with major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon.
2005 Warrantless wiretapping exposed
Bush administration revealed to have been conducting warrantless wiretapping of Americans: international calls, messages, emails, leading to a mass collection of metadata.
Nym researchers explain metadata
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