NSA document reveals spying on online sexual activity of suspected radicals

The National Security Agency gathered records of the online sexual activity of six suspected radicals as part of a plan to damage their reputations, according to documents leaked by Edward Snowden and revealed by the Huffington Post. The NSA document does not connect any of the individuals to terror plots.

The activities listed in the document include, “viewing sexually explicit material online” and “using sexually explicit persuasive language when communicating with inexperienced young girls.” According to the document, “Some of the vulnerabilities, if exposed, would likely call into question a radicalizer’s devotion to the jihadist cause, leading to the degradation or loss of his authority.”

Stewart Baker, former general counsel for the NSA, said this strategy is an effective way to combat terror threats.

“If people are engaged in trying to recruit folks to kill Americans and we can discredit them, we ought to,” said Baker. “On the whole, it’s fairer and maybe more humane” than bombing a target, he said.