It did not collect information over the US. The same source literally said that it was carrying surveillance equipment.
“We’re aware that it had intelligence collection capabilities, but it was our – and it has been our – assessment now that it did not collect while it was transiting the United States,” Ryder said during a briefing, adding, “As we said at the time, we also took steps to mitigate the potential collection efforts.”
It did not collect information over the US. The same source literally said that it was carrying surveillance equipment.