NSA Chief Admits Agency Used Pilot Program to Track US Cellphone Locations

While testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the chief of the National Security Agency (NSA) revealed that back in 2010 and 2011 the agency launched a pilot program to test its ability to track the cell phone locations of American citizens.

General Keith Alexander, the head of the NSA, also admitted that the highly intrusive tracking data "may be something that is a future requirement for the country," reports The Guardian.

Alexander along with James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, testified at the hearing on proposed reforms to the NSA's surveillance of phone and Internet usage around the world, which was exposed in June by former NSA leaker Edward Snowden. However, neither spy chief discussed proposed reforms; instead they were questioned about new potential abuses that have come to light since then.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz asked Alexander whether the NSA would ever seek location data of Americans to combat terrorism. Alexander said that would be a possibility, but that the agency currently obtains the information on a case-by-case basis.

"I would just say that this may be something that is a future requirement for the country, but it is not right now, because when we identify a number, we can give that to the FBI," Alexander said, according to the AP. "When they get their probable cause [to justify obtaining the data] they can get the location data that they need."

In response, Christopher Calabrese of the ACLU legislative counsel, stated that, "The NSA's attempt to collect this data shows the need for stronger legislative oversight of the agency's activities, but the fact is that federal, state, and local law enforcement are already regularly collecting cell phone location information without a warrant," said . "Last year a majority of the supreme court recognized that location information is sensitive, and we need legislation that respects privacy rights when it comes to Americans' movements."

After the hearing, the ACLU objected to the phone-tracking revelation. "The NSA's attempt to collect this data shows the need for stronger legislative oversight of the agency's activities, but the fact is that federal, state, and local law enforcement are already regularly collecting cell phone location information without a warrant," said Christopher Calabrese, ACLU legislative counsel.