One of America's most powerful spy authorities is nearing an unprecedented lapse, threatening to plunge intelligence agencies and telecommunications companies into legal uncertainty if allowed to go dark on Friday. Why it matters: Members in both parties are warning that an expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act could jeopardize U.S. national security. - Section 702 feeds more than half of the president's daily briefing and has been credited with helping thwart terror plots and other national-security threats. - It allows the attorney general and director of national intelligence to compel electronic service providers to provide communications involving foreign intelligence targets overseas. The intrigue:…
The court opinion is expected to detail concerns over how federal agencies have managed queries of Section 702 databases and whether internal guardrails designed to prevent abuse were circumvented, according to a senior intelligence official.
New deadline. Same problems. Lawmakers last week punted the battle to renew the nation’s spy powers for 10 days, extending not only the deadline to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), but also the difficult discussions over how to reform it. The program allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad, but privacy hawks want to require a warrant before authorities can review any information collected on Americans speaking with those being surveilled. Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5843782-fisa-702-spy-powers-negotiations/ #FISA #SpyPowers #Congress #CIA
