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Appeals Court Rules Gov't. Has Broad Wiretapping Right

Posted by timothy on from the precious-little dept.

An anonymous reader writes: "Reuters reports that a special, secretive appeals court on Monday said the U.S. government has the right to use expanded powers to wiretap terrorism suspects under a law adopted by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The ruling was seen as a setback for civil libertarians who have said the expanded powers, which allow greater leeway in conducting electronic surveillance and in using information obtained from the wiretaps and searches, jeopardize constitutional rights. In a 56-page ruling overturning a May opinion by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the three-judge appeals court panel said the Patriot Act gave the government the right to expanded powers."

2 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. Violates the fourth ammendment by MobyDisk · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The court admitted that this act violated the fourth ammendmant. Check out this quote:

    "We think the procedures and government showings required under FISA, if they do not meet the minimum Fourth Amendment warrant standards, certainly come close," the judges wrote in their ruling, which was partially declassified and published.

    At least it comes close!!!! I hope this is just a poor quote. What's next? "It is the judgement of this court that we think the defendant is innocent, but it certainly comes close."

  2. Has anyone noticed... by TheZapman · · Score: 2, Interesting
    ...the current provisions in the Homeland Security Act? There have only been three stories so far in the major media, (the one that caught my attention was this one (NYT, reg, etc...)), but the government is trying to construct a system that will make Echelon look like crap. All headed up by Admiral Poindexter, Ollie North's boss, and a convicted felon.

    There are some more links on my page

    This is expected to pass TODAY, so call your Senator and URGE them not to vote for the bill.