Page 20 - pclob usa freedom
P. 20
TOP SECRET//SI//NOFORN
hop numbers derived from NSA’s metadata collection were sent to providers to enable them to
83
return any second-hop results. The providers sent any responsive CDRs, including historical
84
records, back to NSA on an ongoing, automated basis for the life of the order. In other words,
NSA was able to obtain a second hop of CDRs by sending providers the first-hop contacts it
found in its internal repository. Thus, at any given point, the providers were only returning a
single hop of data.
(U)
(U)
(U) This resulted in an iterative process whereby new CDRs from any provider or new
contacts from NSA’s own metadata collection could result in additional responsive CDRs being
produced to NSA automatically for counterterrorism analysis. For example, if two weeks into an
order one provider produced to NSA CDRs showing that a specific selection term contacted
another number, NSA would automatically transmit that new number to the providers as a first-
hop contact. With the new contact added, other providers might identify new responsive second-
hop CDRs that they would then produce to NSA. Likewise, if NSA found contacts between the
specific selection term and another individual via its Executive Order 12333 collection, the other
85
individual’s number could be sent to each of the providers as a first-hop contact. Finally, it
83 (U) See NSA USA Freedom Act Transparency Report at 5–8; NSA briefing to the Board (Jan. 23, 2019).
84 (U) See NSA USA Freedom Act Transparency Report at 5–8; NSA briefing to the Board (Jan. 23, 2019).
85 (U) See NSA USA Freedom Act Transparency Report at 5–8.
17
TOP SECRET//SI//NOFORN
