Where's the NSA reform?

"After leaks last year revealed a vast web of government surveillance of innocent Americans, the outrage in Washington could hardly be contained.

Privacy advocates and lawmakers from both parties wanted the most intrusive program shut down. A federal judge called the technology it employs "almost Orwellian."

 The bipartisan Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, appointed by President Obama, found the program was illegal. And the president called for major changes.

Yet the program lives on.

But ever since the phone-record program's existence was confirmed last year by fugitive leaker Edward Snowden, top intelligence officials have oversold its benefits.

First they said the data, along with an intrusive e-mail program targeting foreign suspects, have helped disrupt more than 50 "potential terrorist events" since 9/11. A month later, those impressive claims were whittled back: Phone data "made a contribution" in just 12 cases. And when asked how often phone data were the "tip-off" to a plot, then-NSA Director Keith Alexander said he didn't know."

[USA TODAY]