Echelon's existence was only recently confirmed by the US Government through the declassification of secret documents of the US National Security Agency (NSA).

BBC: US spy system under attack

President GEORGE W. BUSH: In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our nation I authorized the National Security Agency, consistent with US law and the Constitution, to intercept the international communications of people with known leaks--links to al-Qaeda and related terrorist organizations.

NPR: Bush Defends Domestic Spying Program