Oh make no mistake, I am very familiar with those slides.
PRISM is not a VPN with a SQL client, or anything close to it.
The second one does not refer to domestic hacking. They don’t do that.
PRISM is not a VPN with a SQL client, or anything close to it.
The second one does not refer to domestic hacking. They don’t do that.
What do you believe is happening in that second image?
One could argue semantics as to whether a fiber tap is "hacking" or not, or whether tapping a domestic company's network from an international transit link counts as "domestic hacking"... but there is ample evidence that US intelligence agencies do target domestic companies and their networks.
See also, the rest of the docs on MUSCULAR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUSCULAR_(surveillance_program...
Since the links are likely compromised, ubiquitous encryption is your friend.
- Legally: They get served a NSL with a gag order forcing them to add the backdoor without telling you, on penalty of prison time
- Extra-legally: They get blackmailed by a TLA do add access and cover it up, or else.
("They" is not necessarily the company's CEO/CTO, but a sufficiently senior DBA/network admin.)