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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/27/judge-rules-nsa-phone-data-collection-legal
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| NSA mass collection of phone data is legal, federal judge rules | NSA mass collection of phone data is legal, federal judge rules |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A federal judge has ruled that the National Security Agency's mass collection of telephone data is legal, dismissing a lawsuit brought by civil liberties campaigners. | A federal judge has ruled that the National Security Agency's mass collection of telephone data is legal, dismissing a lawsuit brought by civil liberties campaigners. |
| US district judge William Pauley said the dragnet program "represents the government's counter-punch" to al-Qaida in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. The decision conflicts with a ruling in another case, increasing the likelihood that the US supreme court will take up the issue. | US district judge William Pauley said the dragnet program "represents the government's counter-punch" to al-Qaida in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. The decision conflicts with a ruling in another case, increasing the likelihood that the US supreme court will take up the issue. |
| In the latest case, Pauley noted that the program was controversial, but lawful. "While robust discussions are under way across the nation, in Congress, and at the White House, the question for this court is whether the government's bulk telephony metadata program is lawful. The court finds it is. | |
| "But the question of whether that program should be conducted is for the other two coordinate branches of government to decide." | "But the question of whether that program should be conducted is for the other two coordinate branches of government to decide." |
| In his ruling, the judge said the phone data-collection system could have helped investigators connect the dots before the 9/11 attacks. | In his ruling, the judge said the phone data-collection system could have helped investigators connect the dots before the 9/11 attacks. |
| He dismissed a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU did not immediately respond to a message for comment by the Associated Press. | He dismissed a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU did not immediately respond to a message for comment by the Associated Press. |
| Another federal judge, sitting in Washington, ruled in a different case earlier in December that the program probably violated the US constitution and was "almost Orwellian" in scope. The government is appealing that decision. | Another federal judge, sitting in Washington, ruled in a different case earlier in December that the program probably violated the US constitution and was "almost Orwellian" in scope. The government is appealing that decision. |
| More details soon ... | More details soon ... |
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