NSA Chief of National Security Agency (NSA), General Keith Alexander defended US surveillance programs as part of a Noble Mission to protect the nation. He referenced the criticism thrown at the intelligence services in late 2001 for not connecting the dots that led up to the Sept. 11 attacks. Alexander said that the collection of bulk phone records by U.S. Intelligence agencies are essential to preventing terrorist attacks. The NSA has been targeted for severe criticism from privacy advocates, members of Congress and foreign allies of America, whose citizens may have been targets of this surveillance.
Source: https://thehackernews.com/2013/09/nsa-chief-general-alexander-defends-us.html