The National Security Agency (NSA) has reportedly tracked online porn visits of radical Muslims to discredit them.
The latest information comes courtesy of The Huffington Post, which cites an NSA document dated October 3, 2012.
The NSA found sexually explicit information about at least two individuals who have been targeted. Reportedly, the information was garnered through FBI surveillance.
"The National Security Agency has been gathering records of online sexual activity and evidence of visits to pornographic websites as part of a proposed plan to harm the reputations of those whom the agency believes are radicalizing others through incendiary speeches, according to a top-secret NSA document. The document, provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, identifies six targets, all Muslims, as "exemplars" of how "personal vulnerabilities" can be learned through electronic surveillance, and then exploited to undermine a target's credibility, reputation and authority," reports The Huffington Post.
The document, which was leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, identifies two Muslims who are believed to be susceptible to allegations of "online promiscuity".
"A previous SIGINT" -- or signals intelligence, the interception of communications -- assessment report on radicalization indicated that radicalizers appear to be particularly vulnerable in the area of authority when their private and public behaviors are not consistent," notes the document. "Some of the vulnerabilities, if exposed, would likely call into question the radicalizer's devotion to the jihadist cause, leading to the degradation or loss of his authority."
The leaked document also notes that the data is potentially damaging evidence and the vulnerabilities listed include "viewing sexually explicit material online or using sexually explicit persuasive language when communicating with inexperienced young girls."
According to an intelligence official, this news was not surprising.
"Without discussing specific individuals, it should not be surprising that the US 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 radicalise others to violence," said Shawn Turner, director of public affairs for National Intelligence.
Per The Huffington Post, six individuals were targeted for NSA surveillance and were seen as radical Muslims giving provocative speeches, but were not said to be linked to terror plots, according to the leaked document.
The publication has withheld information pertaining to their locations and identities. However, all six are said to reside outside the U.S., but one of them was described as a "US person" which basically implies that he either has citizenship or permanent residency status.
