Mark Klein
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:DMCA Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Sidebar/configuration' not found.
Mark Lee Klein (May 2, 1945 – March 8, 2025) was an American AT&T technician and whistleblower who revealed details of the company's cooperation with the United States National Security Agency in installing network hardware at a site known as Room 641A to monitor, capture and process American telecommunications. The subsequent media coverage became a major story in May 2006.
Early life and education
Klein was born the younger of two children in Brooklyn on May 2, 1945. His mother was a school teacher and his father was a pharmaceutical executive. Klein graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in history in 1966. He later attended technical school and worked in computer manufacturing before working at AT&T.[1]
Career
For over 22 years Mark Klein worked for AT&T. Starting with the company as a Communications Technician in New York, where he remained from November 1981 until March 1991, he later continued in that capacity in California until 1998. From January 1998 to October 2003, Klein worked as a Computer Network Associate in San Francisco. Starting in October 2003, he returned to the role of Communications Technician, after which he retired in May 2004.[2]
Whistleblowing
In early 2006, Klein revealed details about AT&T's secretive cooperation with the National Security Agency's mass surveillance program. He found that the NSA was using a splitter to intercept and monitor all internet and other data traffic, which was then directed to a secure room at AT&T's facility, called Room 641A. He came across blueprints and documents outlining the technology, the program's existence, and AT&T's involvement with the NSA. He also found evidence that the program was active in other cities across the United States. This surveillance initiative followed the Patriot Act, which granted American defense and intelligence agencies broader powers after the 9/11 attacks.[3] The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit shortly afterwards.[4]
In 2009, Klein wrote a book titled Wiring Up The Big Brother Machine...And Fighting It,[5] in which he wrote about his experience discovering the relationship and his efforts to tell the public.[6][7]
Personal life and death
Klein was predeceased by his wife Linda Thurston.[1] Klein died from pancreatic cancer in Oakland on March 8, 2025, at the age of 79.[8][9][1]
Awards
In recognition of his actions, the EFF picked Klein as one of the winners of its 2008 Pioneer Awards.[10]
See also
References
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Smith, Harrison (March 13, 2025). "Mark Klein, AT&T technician who helped expose NSA spying, dies at 79". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Declaration of Mark Klein, unredacted (June 8, 2006)" (PDF). Retrieved October 24, 2011.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Whistleblower Mark Klein, who brought NSA's mass surveillance of Americans to light, dies at 79". PBS News. March 14, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Markoff, John (April 29, 2006). "U.S. Steps Into Wiretap Suit Against AT&T (Published 2006)". The New York Times.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Klein, Mark (2009). Wiring up the big brother machine-- and fighting it. Charleston, S.C. : BookSurge. ISBN 978-1-4392-2996-5. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Jones, Tim (March 17, 2010). "Wiring Up The Big Brother Machine... And Fighting It". Electronic Frontier Foundation.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Martin, Aaron K. (2009). "Review of Klein, Mark. 2009. Wiring up the Big Brother Machine… and Fighting It. Charleston, South Carolina: BookSurge". Surveillance & Society. 6 (4): 416–417. doi:10.24908/ss.v6i4.3274.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Cindy Cohn; Corynne McSherry (March 12, 2025). "In Memoriam: Mark Klein, AT&T Whistleblower Who Revealed NSA Mass Spying". Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Novak, Matt (March 13, 2025). "Mark Klein, AT&T Whistleblower Who Exposed NSA's Mass Surveillance, Dies at 79". Gizmodo. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Jesdanun, Anick (February 27, 2008). "AT&T Whistle-Blower Among Award Winners". Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
External links
- Klein's Declaration (unredacted), from the case Hepting v. AT&T – Electronic Frontier Foundation
- ABC Nightline Interview with Klein
- Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- Wired coverage
- PBS NOW | Whistleblower Mark Klein
- PBS NOW | For Your Eyes Only?
- Spying On The Home Front, Frontline, PBS
- Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."United States of Secrets (Part Two): Privacy Lost". Frontline. Season 32. Episode 10. May 20, 2014. PBS. WGBH. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- A Story of Surveillance, Washington Post, November 7, 2007
- First Interview with the NSA Whistleblower at EFF
- Wiring Up the Big Brother Machine ...And Fighting It by Mark Klein
- Wired (2008) interview with Klein
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Authority control/config' not found.
