![]() National Security Agency surveillance |
---|
![]() |
Tempora is the codeword for a computer system used by the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). It collects most internet communications from fibre-optic cables. The data base of messages can be searched later as required.[2] The system went into action in autumn 2011.[3]
Tempora uses intercepts on the fibre-optic cables that make up most of the internet. It gets large amounts of internet users' personal data, without any individual suspicion or targeting.[4]
The existence of Tempora was revealed by Edward Snowden. He is a former American intelligence contractor who leaked information to former Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald in May 2013. This was part of Snowdon's revelations of government-sponsored mass surveillance programs. Data collected by the Tempora program is shared with the National Security Agency of the United States.[5]
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)