I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. The idea is that I would confirm that (NSLs received >= 1) by not saying that (NSLs received == 0).

The programmer's logic does not apply here. When you lie, you go to jail or worse. When they lie, they get promoted.

YOU don't get it. He's not talking about their actions; he's talking about his own.

Also, yes, they are constrained by law. That's how we're able to take the government to court.