LONDON — The Huffington Post cited a secret National Security Agency document that allegedly reveals the U.S. agency spied on the online sexual activity of Islamist radicals in order to find ways to discredit them.
The website said the document, leaked by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden, shows the organization tracked six unnamed “radicalizers” and their visits to pornographic websites. It says the alleged electronic surveillance aimed to find their “personal vulnerabilities” to undermine their credibility.
The report published parts of the document, which is dated Oct. 3, 2012, but redacted the names of the six people. It said none of the six were accused of being involved in terror plots. It added that the NSA believes all those targeted live outside the U.S.
“Some of the vulnerabilities, if exposed, would likely call into question a radicalizer’s devotion to the jihadist cause, leading to the degradation or loss of his authority,” the document read.
When contacted for comment Wednesday, the NSA referred The Associated Press to a statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released Tuesday.
“Without discussing specific individuals, it should not be surprising that the U.S. Government uses all of the lawful tools at our disposal to impede the efforts of valid terrorist targets who seek to harm the nation and radicalize others to violence,” the statement said.
