Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Chipping Away At U.S. Freedoms And Privacy

Sen. Patrick Leahy previously said his bill boosts Americans' e-mail privacy protections by "requiring that the government obtain a search warrant." That's no longer the case. (Credit: U.S. Senate)

Senate Bill Rewrite Lets Feds Read Your E-Mail Without Warrants -- CNet

Proposed law scheduled for a vote next week originally increased Americans' e-mail privacy. Then law enforcement complained. Now it increases government access to e-mail and other digital files.

A Senate proposal touted as protecting Americans' e-mail privacy has been quietly rewritten, giving government agencies more surveillance power than they possess under current law, CNET has learned.

Patrick Leahy, the influential Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has dramatically reshaped his legislation in response to law enforcement concerns, according to three individuals who have been negotiating with Leahy's staff over the changes. A vote on his bill, which now authorizes warrantless access to Americans' e-mail, is scheduled for next week.

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My Comment: I am old enough to remember that right after 9/11 there were demonstrations across America against legislation that would expand the power of the government over surveillance and privacy issues .... today .... there is not even a whimper as even more draconian laws are discussed (and passed) over American freedoms and the right to privacy. What happened?

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