Research Note: PRISM, Intelligence Collection System
Overview
PRISM is a classified digital surveillance program operated by the National Security Agency (NSA), collecting internet communications directly from major US technology companies under FISA court supervision. The program began in 2007 under the Bush administration and was publicly revealed in 2013 through Edward Snowden's disclosures, establishing it as the NSA's primary source of FISA-authorized internet intelligence collection.
Technical Capabilities:
Direct collection from major tech company servers
Real-time surveillance of internet communications
Email and chat monitoring
Video and voice chat interception
File transfer tracking
Social media monitoring
Stored data access and analysis
Cross-platform user tracking
Mobile communications surveillance
Integration with other NSA collection systems
Participating Organizations: Primary Companies:
Microsoft (since 2007)
Yahoo (since 2008)
Google (since 2009)
Facebook (since 2009)
Apple (since 2012)
AOL, Skype, YouTube, PalTalk
Intelligence Agencies:
NSA (Lead Agency)
FBI (Data Intercept Technology Unit)
CIA
Five Eyes Partners (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Operational Evolution: PRISM evolved from early email monitoring to comprehensive digital surveillance, expanding its reach as new communication platforms emerged. The system processes 91% of the NSA's FISA-authorized internet collection, with capabilities growing to include automated collection methods and advanced pattern recognition. Integration with international partners and multiple collection methods has created a global surveillance network capable of tracking targets across numerous digital platforms.
Bottom Line
PRISM represents the cornerstone of the NSA's digital intelligence collection efforts, providing unprecedented access to global internet communications through partnerships with major technology companies. The program's comprehensive coverage of digital communications platforms, combined with its legal framework under FISA, enables efficient collection and analysis of foreign intelligence targets' data. While controversial from a privacy perspective, PRISM's integration with other surveillance systems and international partnerships creates a powerful intelligence gathering network. The program's ability to access both real-time and stored communications, combined with cross-platform tracking capabilities, makes it a crucial tool in modern intelligence operations. Despite public scrutiny since its revelation, PRISM continues to serve as a vital component of US intelligence collection infrastructure, though its current capabilities remain largely classified.