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.