3 ms·

Completely by accident. There was never any intent to mine that information, no sir.

• isp 8y ago
  Not wittingly.
  • ggggtez 8y ago
    Perhaps, but perhaps not. If you've followed the news since 2001, you'll find that improper deletion of data is a theme that goes back a long time to the point where you should really question whether it's really an accident or the result of purposeful lack-of-enforcement of policy.
    • towelr34dy 8y ago
      I believe a factor in this is the incentives at play based on a mentality. The incentives are that if data is deleted, the person doing it can be in trouble for destroying it. The probability of getting in trouble for not deleting is low. This is based off of a mentality of: If we need the data and delete it, we (the gov) will have less power. If we don't delete it and need it, we will have more. I believe the flaw in this reasoning is not considering a 3rd possibility: We don't delete it, don't need it, but it falls into other (even less scrupulous hands) that can use it and gain power.
    • deogeo 8y ago
      I believe that was a reference to James Clapper's perjury: https://abcnews.go.com/US/americas-top-spy-james-clapper-made-mistake-lie/story?id=37003608 https://abcnews.go.com/US/americas-top-spy-james-clapper-mad...
      • ggggtez 8y ago
        One of many things, yes. Also, see any news story circa 2013 and the Edward Snowden leaks. In more recent and relevant histoy, the border security program is fairly well established to have been rolled out half-baked with the intention of making it a semi-legal limbo for all involved. So the idea that they are playing loose with the rules on purpose based on recommendations from the top seems warranted.