OAKSTAR


OAKSTAR is a secret internet surveillance program of the National Security Agency of the United States. It was disclosed in 2013 as part of the leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
OAKSTAR is an umbrella program involving surveillance of telecommunications. It falls under the category of "Upstream collection", meaning that data is pulled directly from fiber-optic cables and top-level communications infrastructure. Upstream collection programs allow access to very high volumes of data, and most of the pre-selection is done by the providers themselves, before the data is passed on to the NSA.
The FY 2013 budget for OAKSTAR was $9.41 million. OAKSTAR consists of the following SIGADs:
DesignationCovernameLegal AuthoritySee NoteKey TargetsType of Information collectedRemarks
US-3206 MONKEYROCKETExecutive Order 12333Counterterrorism in the Middle East, Europe, and AsiaDNI metadata and content"Foreign access point," was expected to go online in spring 2012
US-3217 SHIFTINGSHADOWAfghanistan communications: MTN Afghanistan, Roshan GSM Network, AWCCDNR metadata and voice; "Timing Advances" and geolocation"Foreign access point"
US-3230 ORANGECRUSH"To be determined"Voice, fax, DNI, DNR, and metadata"Foreign access point through PRIMECANE, and 3rd party partner", not online as of the time of source presentation.
US-3247 YACHTSHOPWorldwide DNI MetadataWorldwide DNI Metadata"Access through BLUEANCHOR partner," contributor to MARINA
US-3251ORANGEBLOSSOM
US-3273 SILVERZEPHYRTransit Authority and FAASouth, Central and Latin AmericaDNR Metadata, voice and fax; DNI content and metadata"Network access point through STEELKNIGHT partner"
US-3277BLUEZEPHYR
US-3354COBALTFALCON

Note: SIGADs not otherwise designated are presumed to operate under the legal authority of Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act

Glossary