NSA stores metadata of millions of web users for up to a year, secret files show [1]

The National Security Agency is storing the online metadata of millions of internet [2] users for up to a year, regardless of whether or not they are persons of interest to the agency, top secret documents reveal.

Metadata provides a record of almost anything a user does online [3], from browsing history – such as map searches and websites visited – to account details, email activity, and even some account passwords. This can be used to build a detailed picture of an individual's life.