<h5>What is the National Security Agency?</h5>  <p>Wouldn’t you find it odd if someone followed you around with a pen and notepad? Just noting down who you were talking to and about what? Would this change how you’d behave? It certainly would!</p>
<p>
This is exactly what the National Security Agency (NSA) has been doing for the past few years! The NSA is an intelligence agency of the United States (US) government. Out of the many projects the NSA runs, one top-secret project is codenamed PRISM.
</p> <h5>What happens under Project PRISM?</h5>  <p>Under this project, the NSA uses sophisticated spyware and surveillance software to spy on people. They listen to people’s phone calls and even track what they do on the internet. They believe this project to be an effective way to defend the US against threats. 
Can you imagine someone keeping a track of every Google search you do or every post you like on Facebook and Instagram!? Then using this information to study you (yikes!). This is one of the things that the NSA has been doing by taking our data from companies like Google and Facebook. This is quite similar to your friend sharing your secrets with other people without your permission. 
But why did these companies hand over our data? That’s because the NSA is a part of the US government and has the right to demand any information to protect the country. There is no problem if people who may harm the country are spied on. But, it does become a huge problem when everyone is being spied upon without any reason.  </p> <h5>If PRISM is top-secret, how did we find out about it?</h5>  <p>PRISM used to be a top-secret project until it was leaked by whistle-blower, Edward Snowden, in 2013. Back then, Snowden was working with the NSA. He objected when he found out that people were being recorded and tracked without their permission.</p>
<p>
When his objections were ignored by his employers, Snowden risked his own safety, to let the world know that they were being spied on. Snowden was hailed as a hero by the people, and charged with espionage by the US government. Today, he is considered a fugitive in the US and lives in Russia (far away from the US!).
</p> <h5>How did the people respond to the news of Project PRISM?</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/what-is-project-prism%2Fwhat-is-project-prism-section1.jpg?alt=media&token=8346471c-ba5a-44a3-b5f6-f7bbb9cbe026" alt="How did the people respond to the news of Project PRISM?" >
        <figcaption>People protesting against the NSA’s spying. Photo by Fibonacci Blue / CC BY 2.0.; https://live.staticflickr.com/7439/9079613555_9474ae80a3_h.jpg</figcaption>
      </figure> <p>There was a very strong reaction by the public against Project PRISM. Many people called it undemocratic and a violation of their right to privacy and freedom of expression. This constant feeling of being watched or heard, scared people and made them feel more unsafe. </p>
<p>
The US government and technology companies denied the existence of Project PRISM. But, in 2019, a court in the US confirmed that the project was not only real but also called it unlawful and illegal.
</p> <h5>What can be done to keep our information safe?</h5>  <p>Surveillance measures may seem unnecessary, but they have had some proven success in keeping countries safe. There aren’t clear answers whether PRISM is still active in today’s world, given its top-secret nature. </p>
<p>
That being said, we must be careful to not share very private information on websites we may not be sure of. Always ask a parent or elder before sharing any personal information on the internet. Other than that, the internet is always full of endless possibilities and knowledge! Stay safe, and happy surfing!</p>

The NSA has been secretly listening to people’s phone calls and tracking them on the internet. Why and how were they doing this? Let’s find out!

What is Project PRISM?

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