The idea these messages are “gone” is ridiculous. They are in plenty of intelligence databases. If they don’t come out it’s because the powers that be don’t want them out.
This; guessing part of the reason they won’t ask the alphabet boys for them is because they don’t want the public to really understand that “collection” just means “searched for” information that they’re storing for everyone.
Ancient history at this point but if you missed it and have no idea what I’m talking about https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/10/nsa-sur...