### Question
How does the law define covert action?


### Answer
Under *50 U.S.C. § 3093*, **covert action** is defined as:

> an activity or activities of the United States Government to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where it is intended that the role of the United States Government will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly, but does not include—


(1) activities the primary purpose of which is to acquire intelligence, traditional counterintelligence activities, traditional activities to improve or maintain the operational security of United States Government programs, or administrative activities

#### Citation:
  - *50 U.S.C. § 3093*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 44-NATIONAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER III-ACCOUNTABILITY FOR INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES**

