'Do you watch what you say?'

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Lana from The Dental Office -

I have heard there are certain words you can say over the phone that the government automatically pulls your conversation and holds it. Like if you were to say the word president, bomb, etc. Is this really true?

Comment #1 PokerPrincess (1) from Earth -

Well, that's kind of amazing that they would pick out an individual's phone conversation if they weren't tapping your phone.

I hardly believe that certain words over the telephone network will trigger an automatic phone tap or trace.

These systems have to be put in place as a specific item on a specific line.

I don't think we have any worries of that in the very near future. And if you are talking about things like that, think about why you are discussing it. Are you planning something bad and feel nervous about being found out?

Comment #2 zoya from middle of america -

Seriously HOW is this possible? I don't really understand how they could do that unless every phone was secretly being tapped, and that probably would cost quite a bit of money. But you never know i suppose.

Comment #3 Lana from The Dental Office -

I guess, maybe I have been watching too many movies and too much tv. I could be just mixed up and confused about what I was saying.

Comment #4 zoya from middle of america -

Heheh, it is easy to become paranoid from watching all these movies out there. I sometimes wonder if that is really possible in real life. That would be terrifying!

Comment #5 Kyndra from Somewhere Out There -

I get paranoid too. You know I am surprised that they don't have the FBI listening to all conversations. You could get more of the drug problems that way. Possibly? I guess they would resort to other forms of communication to sell drugs.

Comment #6 rollback (65.204.55.228) -

Not true. Phones are not tqapped at the phone level, but at the trunk level. And yes, there are over 200, 000 words that are watch for on a regular basis that trigger further investigations.

Don't think for a minute that your NOT listened to.

-- rollback

Comment #7 Elroy from New York -

If someone in your house, apartment building or neighborhood taps your phone it WILL BE at the LINE LEVEL!

Comment #8 peekaboo from from my desk! -

Sometimes I get parnoid talking on the phone when I hear interferance. I guess it could be from watching too much tv.

Comment #9 Callie from The North -

I don't understand how if you say certain "words" in your conversations on the phone it will trigger some sort of alert. I don't think there's even enough manpower or technology for this to be true.

Comment #10 Jess from New York -

I agree that this sounds a bit far-fetched. I can see applications like gmail scanning your emails quickly and parsing them for certain keywords, but your calls would have lag if they were being recorded and scanned and it seems a bit unrealistic. I do believe they if they have reason to suspect you they can and very likely will tap your calls, but not everybody's calls at all times.

Comment #11 Rob from Canada (74.104.147.157) -

200, 000 words being monitored eh?

The Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171, 476 words in current use.

source: http:// www.askoxford.com/ asktheexperts/ faq/ aboutenglish/ numberwords

Comment #12 Root (66.63.207.27) -

i don't think they can tap your phone.

not unless there is like some kind of mystical magical machine,

that could tap all of your phones at ones.

and especially searching for words like 'bomb'.

that's ridiculous.

like, somebody could be talking a freaking video game,

and be all like, "bom @ sekter g!!!111!"

and then the government would be listening to two noobs have this really gay conversation.

Comment #13 Paranoid Self-Destroyer (76.182.216.26) -

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

You all just say it's impossible, because you fear that it is possible. If it's not possible... then why even ask? Fear? With the technology we have today... how can you all bury your heads in the sand and choose to ignore. Trunk level is correct AND it doesn't have to be a phone tap... I can listen to your calls on a $50 frequency scanner. If the Federal Govt mandates what our scanners are allowed to do... imagine what theirs could be capable of. If my scanner cost $50 to $500... imagine what their $50, 000, 000 one could be capable of, oh and you can add more zeros if you like, you're paying for them. One word for all of you... GOOGLE.

If it is being done in the UK... then what makes you think it can't be done here? Ignore it all you want.... but, Big Brother is still watching us. Not only our internet, but our phones as well... and our conversations even when we are not on the phone. Welcome to the real world. This is what 9-11 has brought us. We say, "please oh please protect us further..." and we give up more of our rights and freedoms.

Ben Franklin said, "those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither."

This was true over 200 years ago... and it's still true today.

Oh... one more thing... "Hello this is OnStar... How may I help you?"

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

• NSA Surveillance

Comment #14 Shadowfax (67.101.214.193) -

1.) If you are a member of, or have ever donated to, or attended a function or rally for an environmental organization, Common Cause, ACLU, Amnesty International, National Organization for Women, ACTUP, Critical Mass, and the list goes on....then it has already been announced by Homeland Security that you are considered "the greatest domestic terrorist threat"...not my words, theirs...

So, if you think the "possibility" is "paranoid", "far fetched", "unrealistic" for "noobs" or "gay"...then you're an idiot who probably spends most of their time on YouTube or USA Today for your information.

Yes, it is possible [digitally] to scan conversaton and parse for "key words" just like in print...

It does not cost "quite a bit of money", just billions that you don't give a being spent anyway [Iraq and Mortgage Bank bailouts as my proof].

The effort is "narrowed" by focusing on the groups above and the "terrorist watch list" profiles...

If this is ok with most of you, then you better pray that your family or your own ass one day is not "profiled" as teh list grows each day...hey, its "jobs" right?

Anyone remember why we celebrate the 4th of July? Why there was a "revolution" in America? Do the words "when governments become despotic..." ring any bells?

So, when does concern [not "fear"] replace apathy? If never, than we all deserve the coming 4th Reich....

Comment #15 Rachel Summers (63.176.159.70) -

Lana, what you said is completely preposterous. That is breaking the freedom and rights to privacy of any individual, what if they are just talking about a president of their company being such a "bomb", does that mean they are going to be on hold and under surveillance? Truly honey, you really need to go outside more and avoid watching those conspiracy television series and movies coz they are messing with yah.

Comment #16 George from Montana -

If you say the "wrong" thing on Facebook... Obama won't hire you... so where is the free speech in that?

Comment #17 Doneel (63.176.159.137) -

I don't think this is completely right. there is no point in tracking over billions of phone calls just to decipher words which will put the nation to danger. Not unless you are under the suspicion of terrorism, then i think the telephone and cellphone companies "may" actually violate someone's freedom and basic right but wiretapping almost everyone? It would eat up millions of dollars, something a government can't waste during these times of recession.

Comment #18 George from Montana -

The government always has money to waste in its quest for "1984". They have no problem violating everyone's basic rights in this quest either.

Since the people are told it is for their "security" they will celebrate their loss of basic rights like sheep being led to slaughter.

Comment #19 Sue (24.182.187.42) -

"This has been going on for many years!..."

Last Sunday.. the Sunday before Christmas 2009, Jesse Ventura actually went and interviewed "government workers"on his show.. Conspiracy Theory and they not only contradicted each other, but without saying the words, admitted that this listening in on phone conversations activated by key words as well as much much worse... even going so far as putting words into your head using an electronic device... (this was actually demonstrated to Jesse using him as the subject on the show). So paranoid? No way! This is FACT! Governor Ventura was NOT the first to come out with this info either!

People in the USA are generally very naive and trusting in the name of organized religion... "ohhh people are inherently good"... and that is total BS in the finest of forms!

DO just a bit of searching on this subject online and do a bit of research before just ASSUMING that this is not possible and that people are not that evil..... cos we all know what Assuming does!

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