New Law Gives Government Six Months to Turn Internet and Phone Systems into Permanent Spying

New Law Gives Government Six Months to Turn Internet and Phone Systems into Permanent Spying Architecture

prisonplanet.com

A new law expanding the government's spying powers gives the Bush Administration a six-month window to install permanent back doors in the nation's communication networks. The legislation was passed hurriedly by Congress over the weekend and signed into law Sunday by President Bush.

(visit the link for the full news article)


[edit on 6-8-2007 by brill]

This issue has been brought up numerous times on ATS and now, given the recent public backlash, it is law. Specific to foreign activity there does not appear to be any mention of domestic access but the reality is that given how the Internet and global telecommunications function the bulk of data flows via US switches. Some notables:

Requires the Attorney General to submit to the secret surveillance court its reasons why these programs aren't considered domestic spying programs, but the court can only throw out those reasons if it finds that they are "clearly erroneous.

Requires the Attorney General to tell Congress twice a year about any incidents of surveillance abuse and give statistics about how many surveillance programs were started and how many directives were issued.

Makes no mention of the Inspector General, who uncovered abuses of the Patriot Act by the FBI after being ordered by Congress to audit the use of powerful self-issued subpoenas, is not mentioned in the bill.

The same Attorney General whose current methods are shrouded in abuse and uncertainty? People please don't trivialize this matter by stating the old "I've done nothing wrong so why hide" or the ubiquitous "who cares who listens to my conversations". You are certainly entitled communicate how you see fit but some of us don't want our privacy trumped in the name of public safety. I encourage people to use forms of encryption, albeit somewhat ineffective, to counter these measures.

brill

prisonplanet.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

A similar thread already exist here.

Mods, please close this thread, apologies.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is being discussed here:
www.abovepolitics.com...

Please post your thoughts in the earlier thread.
Closed.