Intel sharing

Spy chiefs tell U.S. lawmakers plan to share raw data protects privacy

American spy chiefs have told congressmen that a plan to allow the National Security Agency (NSA) to share more raw eavesdropping reports with other agencies will not be unlawful and will protect the privacy rights of U.S. citizens.

In a letter sent on Monday to two members of Congress and reviewed by Reuters, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the NSA's proposal to give other spy agencies access to "unevaluated signals intelligence" will ensure data is used only for intelligence activities directed at foreigners.

Last week, U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu and Blake Farenthold of the House Oversight Committee asked the NSA to halt the sharing plan, suggesting it would be "unconstitutional and dangerous." The specifics of the proposal are still secret.