Re:NSA...ther're no dummies (Score 1)

As I understand ECHELON, it involves the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand as major players. Although it is illegal for the NSA to directly spy on US citizens, ECHELON removes this roadblock by allowing the data gathered on US citizens by our allies to be used by the NSA, and vice versa. I have some doubts about this whole NSAKey thing being genuine, but to say that it would be valueless or superfluous to the NSA (if true AND kept secret) is ridiculous. It would be far easier to use one back door in the OS that overwhelmingly dominates the market than it would be to keep trying to exploit security flaws that people keep finding and plugging. As far as cloak and dagger "turning" of a human agent, as has been suggested, well that leaves potential whistleblowers and witnesses. And it's only good for Company A or Organization B. But a master key that lets you peek into anybody's computer at any time? Well, if you were the NSA wouldn't you think that was a pretty handy little tool?