The National Security Agency seems to have overstepped its bounds a bit by listening in on phone conversations and intercepting e-mail messages of Americans. The New York Times has a big scoop today, and reports that government and intelligence officials say the NSA engaged in "overcollection" of these communications as part of its post-September 11, 2001, surveillance program. One official said the agency’s actions likely were unintentional. 

The NSA even reportedly tried to wiretap an unnamed member of Congress without a warrant, since he was then in contact with an under-surveillance extremist with possible terror ties. The lawmaker was part of a congressional delegation to the Middle East in 2005 or 2006. The rules regulating the program say at least one person involved in the correspondence should be outside of the United States and must be suspected of some nefarious activity.

The Agency insists it didn’t break the law, and the Justice Department said any problems with the surveillance system have been worked out. But this likely won’t be the last we hear about this. Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have been fighting the surveillance activities and this only bolsters their argument. Congress will no doubt have questions, as well.