by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The findings of the European Parliament on this in a report, even though Switzerland is not part of the EU, are unequivocal and state that this is “a serious threat" to the "rights of citizens”.
An amendment that allows U.S. authorities to monitor, in addition to communications like e-mail and telephone, all data stored in the U.S. by non-Americans.
Concerned are all synchronization services online as iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive, and messaging services. In addition to this, it would appear, all email services that are based on US servers, such as Yahoo Mail, Google Mail, etc.
This Swiss citizen believes, probably rightfully, that he has become a victim of this “mass surveillance” enacted “without warrant” against American citizens and others.
About to go on holiday to the USA, he exchanged emails containing jokes around words such as “airplane”, “bomb” and “explode”.
While his application for a residence permit without visa (ESTA) was accepted, it was rescinded when he tried to board and he was banned from entering the United States.
Though we have no evidence of this it is more than likely that he will also find himself now on a list of people banned (for life) from entering the USA and it could even extend to flying (on any US airline).
It would not surprise me if this extends further than just the cloud services and email accounts mentioned in that the Echelon system, used by the CIA via places such as Menwith Hill (an RAF base in the UK that is wholly US military and CIA) and GCHQ, the British intelligence service monitoring station based near Cheltenham, Glos.
The Echelon system is designed to pick out key words such as the ones that have been in those emails and is used to monitor all traffic such as emails, etc., as well as voice communications.
This is about as stupid as the guy who was arrested on a plane about to depart an airport and banned from flying for saying “Hi Jack” upon recognizing a friend of his by the name of “Jack”.
The US is overstepping the line, once again, believing itself, it would appear, to be the ruler of the world and also its policeman.
About time the rest of the world told those folks there in Washington, D.C. A few home truths, namely that they may run the USA but that other countries and people are sovereign and not under their jurisdiction.
© 2013
