Maybe it should have the power to intervene and stop it? This is still the federal government (it is not about walking into Facebook and shutting it down). I think it is the only agency with the brainpower to do it. It should be been trying to hack it and test the system periodically to identify flaws in it. Then mandate changes.
> Do you want the NSA to have the authority to cut network connections occurring in the U.S. internet?
To the federal agencies. Cyber defence doesn't work with current bloated beaurocracy. Nobody seems to be in charge.
> I doubt the vast majority of HN'ers want an increase in NSA's authority or scope.
I don't know. I would rather them spend more time defending, wouldn't mind expanding their power and diverting more budget towards that.