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> >The NSA reported using 3 hops for data dumps from their bulk surveillance store.

I'm not sure what this means, and you appear to be referencing a comment in this HN thread. I'd imagine that if an entity uses a hardware splitter to intercept all traffic, the number of alleged hops used in a network traversal isn't as important.

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Ok no worries, it was quite a while ago that the article came out (I think around some of the early Snowden leaks). It that claimed that the NSA used a 3 hop rule to establish a 'targets' network. They claimed to only use 3 hops to protect the privacy and constitutional rights of US citizens ie 'this is not mass surveillance guys, we promise'. (paraphrasing from memory of course)

To the authors point, 2 hops could just about be anyone.

To your point, 2 hops could be a very tenuous link.

If you put both points together you get effectively mass surveillance of just about anyone whilst still claiming to be on the right side of the law.

Thank you, that makes sense.

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