But this is an extremely effective and clever PR campaign that the hackers are putting on. Because Americans largely don't know what Echelon is. Dean said Barr's interest would ensure that Congress will hold hearings on the issue next year. 2600 's Macki, for one, thinks Echelon is no longer a far-fetched notion. It's been very well documented by the European parliament, and other groups.
Intelligence agencies are interested in a very broad range of subjects.
The flap over Echelon highlights the broader issue of intelligence communities spying on their own citizens, Macki said. Echelon is the perfect solution for an otherwise illegal activity. The Free Congress Foundation's Dean is holding off validating Echelon's existence. But the possibility is there and certainly the capability.