What do Tempora and PRISM refer to?

Tempora and PRISM refer specifically to programs associated with the National Security Agency (NSA) that focus on the acquisition of telephone metadata and Internet communications. Tempora is a British program operated by GCHQ, the UK's signals intelligence agency, which involves tapping into fiber-optic cables to monitor and store vast amounts of data. PRISM, on the other hand, is an NSA program that collects data directly from major technology companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple, providing access to user communications and metadata.

The correct answer highlights the significant extent of surveillance capabilities allowed under these programs, revealing how they intersect with issues of privacy, civil liberties, and national security. These initiatives are part of broader counterterrorism efforts, aimed at identifying and preventing threats. Understanding this context is essential for grasping the importance of surveillance in national security discussions.