BREAKING NEWS

Senators push bill requiring warrant for US data under spy law

By REUTERS

OCTOBER 24, 2017 14:28

WASHINGTON, Oct 24 - A bipartisan group of at least 10 US senators plans to introduce on Tuesday legislation that would substantially reform aspects of the National Security Agency's warrantless internet surveillance program, according to congressional aides.

The effort, led by Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Rand Paul, would require a warrant for queries of data belonging to any American collected under the program. The bill's introduction is likely to add uncertainty to how Congress will renew a controversial portion of a spying law due to expire on Dec. 31.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is considered by US intelligence officials to be among their most vital tools used to combat national and cyber security threats and help protect American allies.

It allows US intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on and store vast amounts of digital communications from foreign suspects living outside the United States.

The surveillance program, classified details of which were exposed in 2013 by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, also incidentally scoops up communications of Americans, including if they communicate with a foreign target living overseas.

Those communications can then be subject to searches without a warrant, including by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a practice that the USA Rights Act authored by Wyden and Paul would end.

The measure is expected to be introduced with support from a wide berth of civil society groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and FreedomWorks, a Wyden spokesman said.

Hamas accuses Israel of rejecting the hostage deal - report

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

12/25/2024 02:27 PM

Director-General of Finance Ministry submits resignation to Smotrich

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

12/25/2024 01:56 PM

Fire department order Or Chaya seminary closed after 48 people injured

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

12/25/2024 12:55 PM

Turkish military kills 21 Kurdish militants in northern Syria and Iraq

By REUTERS

12/25/2024 11:29 AM