What is being done with the information that ECHELON collects?

The original purpose of ECHELON was to protect national security. That purpose continues today. For example, we know that ECHELON is gathering information on North Korea. Sources from Australia's DSD have disclosed this much because Australian officials help operate the facilities there which scan through transmissions, looking for pertinent material. (19)However, national security is not ECHELON's only concern. Reports have indicated that industrial espionage has become a part of ECHELON's activities. While present information seems to suggest that only high-ranking government officials have direct control over ECHELON's tasks, the information that is gained may be passed along at the discretion of these very same officials. As a result, much of this information has been given to American companies, in apparent attempts to give these companies an edge over their less knowledgeable counterparts. (20)In addition, there are concerns that ECHELON's actions may be used to stifle ...  more