[klabb3]

> Additionally, its also a defensive move against other powers that want to discredit the NSA and sway public opinion.

That’s a really good point. I guess being proactive in establishing a good or at least plausibly good reputation is a great proactive measure to prevent say a future scandal from hitting them hard. Right now the narrative seems to be along the lines of “we did some questionable things in the past, but don’t mind that too much because it’s a really important job that does a lot of good protecting national interests, and besides, look at the other govts they’re clearly doing worse things”. Which isn’t that bad of a strategy, to be fair.

[rockskon]

But they're still doing those questionable things right now. They and the FBI openly fought to preserve the legal right to continue doing these constitutionally dubious actions!