Since this summer, a number of disturbing news reports have come out that highlight the amount of ongoing surveillance of the Internet by the National Security Agency. Mainly due to leaks to leaks from former NSA contractor, Edward Snowden, these have outlined a huge systematic government effort to watch everything and everyone online. “Controversial” and “important” do not even begin to indicate just how vital and contentious these game-changing revelations really are.

The basics facts now known about\ these programs is outlined in this month’s SWCP Portal, in an article called “The Spooks in the Machine.” It is complete with links to all the original stories. So check it out, especially if you’ve been wanting to follow this important story but haven’t had the time. So stay tuned – you can depend on the Portal continuing to cover this in the future, with analysis of what it means and what, if anything, can or should be done.