Fergie's Tech Blog

Bush Spy Chief Seeks to Boost U.S. Spy Powers - UPDATE

An AP newswire article by Kathrine Shrader, via SFGate.com, reports that:

President Bush's spy chief is pushing to expand the government's surveillance authority at the same time the administration is under attack for stretching its domestic eavesdropping powers.

National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell has circulated a draft bill that would expand the government's powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, liberalizing how that law can be used.

Known as "FISA," the 1978 law was passed to allow surveillance in espionage and other foreign intelligence investigations, but still allow federal judges on a secretive panel to ensure protections for U.S. citizens — at home or abroad — and other permanent U.S. residents.

The changes McConnell is seeking mostly affect a cloak-and-dagger category of warrants used to investigate suspected spies, terrorists and other national security threats. The surveillance could include planting listening devices and hidden cameras, searching luggage and breaking into homes to make copies of computer hard drives.

More here.

UPDATE: 18:34 PDT: Ryan Singel has some additional commentary over on Threat Level here.

posted by Fergie @ 4/10/2007 03:06:00 PM