Experts Call Spy Agency Practice an Eye-Opener

Mon Apr 25, 2005, 7:55 AM ET

Top Stories - Los Angeles Times

By Greg Miller Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency, which eavesdrops on electronic communications around the world, receives thousands of requests each year from U.S. government officials seeking the names of Americans who show up in intercepted calls or e-mails — and complies in the vast majority of cases without challenging the basis for the requests, current and former intelligence officials said.