Topic: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

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FISA 101: 10 key dates in the evolution of NSA surveillance

When news of the PRISM data collection and surveillance program broke in early June 2013, it shook up the cyber security debate, and called into question just how much information the US government is authorized to collect. But government data collection isn’t something that just sprang up out of nowhere – it just sprang into national attention after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden leaked government documents about the secret government agency. Here’s a brief list of post-9/11 legislation and surveillance programs to add a historical perspective to the current government surveillance debate.

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FISA 101: 10 key dates in the evolution of NSA surveillance

When news of the PRISM data collection and surveillance program broke in early June 2013, it shook up the cyber security debate, and called into question just how much information the US government is authorized to collect. But government data collection isn’t something that just sprang up out of nowhere – it just sprang into national attention after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden leaked government documents about the secret government agency. Here’s a brief list of post-9/11 legislation and surveillance programs to add a historical perspective to the current government surveillance debate.
Edward Snowden: Whistle-blowing protections most likely won't help

While Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor, and others portray him as a heroic whistle-blower, his decision to make top secret documents public severely limits his legal protections, analysts say.
Briefing NSA surveillance 101: What US intelligence agencies are doing, what they know

US intelligence agencies are gathering massive amounts of US telephone calling data and social media data on both foreigners and citizens. Here are seven questions and answers about what is known so far.
PRISM reports prompt tech giants to push for transparency

As fury over PRISM mounts, Google, Facebook, and other tech companies are asking the government for permission to disclose information about secret national security requests they have received. Google insists it has 'nothing to hide' from its users.
NSA data-mining 101: two 'top secret' programs and what they do

Two US surveillance programs – one scooping up records of Americans' phone calls and the other collecting information on Internet-based activities – came to public attention this week. The aim: data-mining to help the NSA thwart terrorism. But not everyone is cool with it.
Surveillance law: US group can't challenge it, Supreme Court rules

A 2008 surveillance law allows the US government to detect and track the messages of would-be foreign terrorists. Critics say it is overly broad, but on Tuesday the Supreme Court blocked a challenge to it.
Secret US cybersecurity program to protect power grid confirmed

The National Security Agency is spearheading a program, dubbed Perfect Citizen, to develop technology to protect the power grid from cyberattack. The project worries privacy rights groups.
Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide.

The US Supreme Court agreed to examine whether a group of US-based lawyers, activists, and journalists can challenge a Bush-era law authorizing broad surveillance overseas.
Court rules for telecoms' role in domestic eavesdropping

A US appellate court has ruled that telecom companies have the right to legal immunity for helping the government eavesdrop on private communications. But in a separate opinion, the court also ruled that customers can sue the government for tracking e-mail and phone calls.
12/30/2011 03:16 pm
Horizons Google and governments: The delicate relationship

A new Google transparency report shows that the US leads the world in government requests for information on citizens' online activity. Google's responses -- and the legislation underlying these requests -- have a huge impact on digital safety and privacy.
10/26/2011 11:30 am
Patriot Act: three controversial provisions that Congress voted to keep

Congress had included sunset provisions in the USA Patriot Act to ensure that lawmakers revisited these measures. On Thursday, they extended three provisions for four years.
05/27/2011 02:07 pm
US judge dismisses lawsuit against Bush wiretap program

The suit had asked the courts to declare the Terrorist Surveillance Program illegal and unconstitutional. But a judge said the group challenging the wiretap program lacked legal standing.
02/01/2011 07:44 pm
Bush wiretap program gets rebuke from federal judge

Bush authorized a wiretap program allowing US citizens with suspected terror links to be tapped without a warrant. Now, a judge has ruled that an Islamic charity was the subject of 'unlawful surveillance.'
04/01/2010 08:54 pm
White House scores key victory on government eavesdropping

The Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that protects telecom firms from lawsuits over secret surveillance.
07/10/2008 01:00 am
White House scores key victory on government eavesdropping

The Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that protects telecom firms from lawsuits over secret surveillance.
07/10/2008 01:00 am
Left lacks leverage to stop Obama's rightward tack

His backtracking on a government-surveillance bill has outraged the liberal blogosphere.
07/08/2008 01:00 am
Left lacks leverage to stop Obama's rightward tack

His backtracking on a government-surveillance bill has outraged the liberal blogosphere.
07/03/2008 01:00 am
Congress wrestles over spying bill

Many Democrats are at odds with their own leadership over extending domestic surveillance.
06/23/2008 01:00 am
'State secrets' privilege fuels surveillance bill battle

Friday's House vote, ignoring veto threat, is latest bid by Democrats to rein in White House powers.
03/18/2008 01:00 am
Opinion Protect America - and the law

We don't buy Bush's scare tactics on surveillance.
02/27/2008 12:00 am
Risks from lapsed wiretap law are disputed

House Democrats, who let the law expire Saturday, see little danger. Intelligence officials argue the ability to track potential terrorists is impaired.
02/19/2008 12:00 am
House set to let warrantless eavesdropping law lapse

President lobbied hard Thursday for renewal of Protect America Act, which expires Feb. 16.
02/15/2008 12:00 am
Terrorism & Security Broad-based U.S. push to tighten Internet monitoring

A new initiative aims to better coordinate investigation of cyberattacks on government systems. Efforts to intensify monitoring of the Internet and to broaden wiretapping powers are heating up the privacy debate.
01/28/2008 12:00 am
Monitor Breakfast Nancy Pelosi: Activists should persuade GOP lawmakers to work to end war

The House speaker touted Congress's domestic accomplishments, but recognized Americans' frustration at a lack of action on the Iraq war at a Monitor lunch Tuesday.
10/10/2007 01:00 am