What the NSA really wants is the capability of…
![“What the NSA really wants is the capability of retrospective investigation. They want to have a perfect record of the last five years of your life, so when you come to their attention, they can know everything about you. I'm not down with that, but [Bill] Binney was trying to create something like…” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/da9/edward-snowden-555_attention_what-the-nsa-really-wants-is-the-capabil_920203.jpg)
“What the NSA really wants is the capability of retrospective investigation. They want to have a perfect record of the last five years of your life, so when you come to their attention, they can know everything about you. I'm not down with that, but [Bill] Binney was trying to create something like that.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that surveillance agencies aim to collect detailed historical data on individuals, creating a comprehensive personal archive for future scrutiny.
In simple terms: Surveillance seeks to build a full past record of people.
Key Takeaway
Guard your privacy against extensive data collection.
Themes
privacy
surveillance
government power
digital rights
Mood
cautious
critical
concerned
Type
political
warning
informative
When to use this quote
- personal data protection
- legal reforms
- public awareness
- technology design
Key Concepts
mass data collection
retrospective investigation
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you protect your digital footprint?
- What limits should exist on historical data collection?
A Different Perspective
Such extensive records can be misused or become vulnerable to breaches.