ECHELON

ECHELON is a global surveillance network operated by several countries, primarily the U.S., designed to intercept and analyze electronic communications such as phone calls, emails, and satellite transmissions. Its purpose is to gather intelligence for national security and defense. The system uses advanced technology to monitor a vast amount of data across the world, often operating secretly. While it is highly effective at identifying potential threats, ECHELON has also raised privacy concerns regarding the extent of surveillance on innocent individuals and organizations.