The official report that has shaped the international debate about NSA surveillance"We cannot discount the risk, in light of the lessons of our own history, that at some point in the future, high-level government officials will decide that this massive database of extraordinarily sensitive private information is there for the plucking. Americans must never make the mistake of wholly 'trusting' our public officials."-The NSA ReportThis is the official report that is helping shape the international debate about the unprecedented surveillance activities of the National Security Agency. Commissioned by President Obama following disclosures by former NSA contractor Edward J. Snowden, and written by a preeminent group of intelligence and legal experts, the report examines the extent of NSA programs and calls for dozens of urgent and practical reforms. The result is a blueprint showing how the government can reaffirm its commitment to privacy and civil liberties-without compromising national security.

Preface xiExecutive Summary xv
Recommendations xxv
Chapter 1 | Principles 1
Chapter 2 | Lessons of History 10
Chapter 3 | Reforming Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Directed at United States Persons 34
Chapter 4 | Reforming Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Directed at Non- United States Persons 81
Chapter 5 | Determining What Intelligence Should Be Collected and How 112
Chapter 6 | Organizational Reform in Light of Changing Communications Technology 125
Chapter 7 | Global Communications Technology: Promoting Prosperity, Security, and Openness in a Networked World 154
Chapter 8 | Protecting What We Do Collect 176
Conclusion 199
Appendix A | The Legal Standards for Government Access to Communications 201
Appendix B | Overview of NSA Privacy Protections Under FAA 702; Overview of NSA Privacy Protections Under EO 12333 205
Appendix C | US Intelligence: Multiple Layers of Rules and Oversight 207
Appendix D | Avenues for Whistle-blowers in the Intelligence Community 208
Appendix E | US Government Role in Current Encryption Standards 209
Appendix F | Review Group Briefings and Meetings 213
Appendix G | Glossary 216
Index 227