Proposed US Legislation Could Vastly Expand NSA Surveillance, Warns Edward Snowden
Summary:
Edward Snowden warns of a proposed legislation that could expand the U.S. government's surveillance capabilities by reforming and extending section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The potential change in the law could compel any individual or entity providing Internet-related service, including businesses like barber shops and laundromats, to assist with NSA's surveillance. The bill has faced significant opposition from both political parties for infringements on citizens' constitutional rights, yet has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the bill on April 19.
Edward Snowden, a known whistleblower from the National Security Agency (NSA), recently alerted that the NSA is on the verge of expanding their surveillance authority significantly. On April 16, Snowden took notice of a discussion initiated by Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, who cautioned about an upcoming legislation that could dramatically expand U.S. government's surveillance capabilities.
The legislative piece in question is meant to reform and broaden an aspect of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) known as section 702. Currently, under this Act, the NSA has the power to compel Internet service providers, like Google and Verizon, to share sensitive data related to NSA targets. However, Goitein warns that a seeming "harmless change" to the FISA 702's definition of "electronic communications surveillance provider" would allow the government to extend its reach, compelling any entity or individual offering any Internet-related service to participate in the NSA's surveillance.
This change could draw in a vast array of U.S. businesses such as barber shops, laundromats, fitness centers, hardware stores, dentist’s offices, amongst others that provide Wi-Fi services to their customers and as a result, have access to communication-transit equipment.
Furthermore, under the stipulated heavy gag-order clauses and conditions in the proposed legislation, individuals and entities forced to share data would not be allowed to discuss the shared information. The proposed law faced substantial opposition, particularly from Republicans who value privacy rights. Despite this opposition, it managed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on April 13. Amendments to the legislation have been made, including a reduction of its timeframe from five to two years and minor changes regarding the service providers included. But, says Goitein, these alterations do little to limit the NSA's authority to monitor. Further, this change extends to service providers such as laundry services, plumbers, and IT service providers who have access to laptops and routers in people's homes, thus making them pawns in the NSA's surveillance efforts.
This bill has been denounced by members of both political parties. Democrats and Republicans have claimed the legislation breaches citizens' constitutional rights. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden referred to it as "terrifying," and pledged to hinder its passage in the Senate. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, who voted against the bill in the House of Representatives, branded it an "irresponsible extension" of NSA mandates. Luna stated that if government entities desired access to data, they should seek a mandate. The proposed legislation is scheduled to be voted upon in the U.S. Senate on April 19.
Published At
4/16/2024 7:38:01 AM
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