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by BoringCode 3412 days ago
I suspected I'd see a variation of this answer in this thread. While on some level it makes sense for some cases (the information is so benign that it doesn't matter if it is leaked), in this case I don't think it quite adds up.

First, while much of the information might be common-sense, it might not be to potential adversaries and I see no reason to provide further aide.

Second, revealing documents like this helps prove what FBI isn't doing. When trying to plan an effective counter to surveillance, it can be just as important to know what isn't be tracked as well as what is. Again, I don't see a public good here.

I simply don't think there is an overriding good that outweighs potential downsides (even if small). Revealing this document does not show moral or legal problems. All it does is fulfill curiosity. Which isn't a good reason for leaking information related to national security.

1 comments

> revealing documents like this helps prove what FBI isn't doing.

Does it?

Not conclusively, no.
One might go so far as to conjecture that the FBI hopes people will see this and think exactly that.