The NSA has been providing information to more than 1,000 analysts at 23 U.S. government agencies through ICREACH, a search engine similar to Google that provides more than 850 billion records regarding phone calls, emails, cell phone locations, and internet chats, according to a Monday report by The Intercept, which cites classified documents provided by Edward Snowden.
Information on the the private communications of foreigners is included, but ICREACH seemingly stores millions of records on U.S. citizens never accused of offenses, the report indicates, explaining that the data can be used to track movements, map networks of associates and reveal political and religious affiliations.
A 2007 planning document posted by The Intercept reveals that development began in May of that year, but the initiative was conceptualized in fall 2005.
