<p><pre><code> Metadata includes who a surveillance target is calling,
emailing, what websites they visit, and, when location
data is available, a person’s movements.
</code></pre>
That an impressive definition of "metadata". To the defenders of these efforts i continue to point to the common trend among these agencies: expansion. First the definition of terrorist expanded without merit. Then the application of spy tracking data expanded similarly. Now metadata, the comfy term these agencies have used to limit public outcry, is expanding as well.<p>This is a frustrating time we live in. Far too few are taking the necessary steps to prevent this serial erosion of, what just some years ago, was common privacies and judicial rights.
One of the more concerning matters on this is that the BBC, for some reason, are choosing not to report on this at all. Gone are the days when the BBC were the most trusted and reputable news source. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/scotland" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.com/news/scotland</a>
><i>... and more serious organised crime, were our security services not using the bulk surveillance data ...</i><p>In the unlikely case these aren't pranks, they would almost certainly be GCHQ astroturfing accounts. Of course, the astroturfing itself is of so poor quality that they probably outsourced the job to either some apathetic social media/perception management firm, or clueless interns.<p>I could easily see a social engagement platform that's primarily used to spam Disqus comment sections also having support for HN, just for the sake of ticking the box.