Jusletter IT

The copious data spying by secret services, particulary by the National Security Agency (NSA) has been subjected to criticism world wide. Espionage certainly is not a new phenomenon. It has been practised for millennias. The article provides a brief overview, expresses skepticism regarding legal measures and points out, which technical barriers are hampering the analysis of large collections of data. Contrary to specific target persons, notably politicians, the mass of persons concerned can rest assured in this data portfolio, such as a single fish in the school in an attack of the predator. (ah)