NSA on malware, website impersonation claims
National Security Agency
Statement
March 13, 2014
Recent media reports that allege NSA has infected millions of computers around the world with malware, and that NSA is impersonating U.S. social media or other websites, are inaccurate. NSA uses its technical capabilities only to support lawful and appropriate foreign intelligence operations, all of which must be carried out in strict accordance with its authorities. Technical capability must be understood within the legal, policy, and operational context within which that capability must be employed.
NSA’s authorities require that its foreign
intelligence operations support valid national security
requirements, protect the legitimate privacy interests of
all persons, and be as tailored as feasible. NSA does not
use its technical capabilities to impersonate U.S. company
websites. Nor does NSA target any user of global Internet
services without appropriate legal authority. Reports of
indiscriminate computer exploitation operations are simply
false.