Topic: USA Patriot 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.
Snowden leaks give new life to lawsuits challenging NSA surveillance programs

Documents Edward Snowden leaked about sweeping NSA surveillance programs have emboldened privacy advocates and government watchdog groups to file a new round of lawsuits challenging the programs' constitutionality.
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.
Backchannels ACLU files suit over NSA surveillance, citing 'chilling effect'

The American Civil Liberties Union charges that secret warrants allowing the National Security Agency to collect mass data on phone usage violates the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution.
Decoder Wire Secret Verizon records collection: What is NSA looking for? (+video)

It's possible that the National Security Agency's collection of Verizon records is related to a cybersecurity probe. Or, it could be related to the Boston Marathon bombing investigation.
Fertilizer plant blast: Does post-9/11 secrecy make your life riskier?

Following the fertilizer plant blast, Texas cited terror concerns in withholding information on dangerous chemicals. Some say that secrecy deprives citizens of the ability to make decisions about their safety.
Decoder Wire Glenn Beck conspiracy theory: What's his evidence?

Glenn Beck conspiracy theory: A Saudi national was involved in the Boston Marathon attack, Glenn Beck alleges. US officials reject the notion and dismiss the 'evidence' as so much bureaucratic paperwork.
Google's Eric Schmidt talks WikiLeaks with founder Julian Assange

Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen, who runs Google Ideas, met with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in June 2011, according to a transcript released by WikiLeaks.
Opinion Key signs that Al Qaeda's Islamic extremism is moving into southern Africa

A surge of sectarian strife and Al Qaeda-linked terrorism in Tanzania signals that Africa's jihadist wave is expanding south. The failure of the international community to assist Tanzania in tackling the roots of Islamic extremism will likely allow it to grow.
Decoder Wire Was Wisconsin temple shooting 'domestic terrorism'?

The FBI has been called into the Wisconsin Sikh temple investigation on the grounds that shooter Wade Michael Page had ties to white supremacist organizations, but no motive has yet been determined.
Why is Ron Paul still in the GOP race - and what does he want?

He hasn't won a single state primary or caucus, yet Ron Paul soldiers on in the GOP presidential race. He is quietly amassing delegates to the GOP national convention, but his real aim is to infuse the party with his brand of Republicanism.
Dennis Kucinich out: Left loses a combative, cheerful voice in Congress

Former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich lost in the Democratic primary Tuesday to Rep. Marcy Kaptur after their Ohio districts were merged by a Republican redistricting plan.
The prophecies of Ron Paul

In 2002, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas made a series of predictions about the US and the world. DCDecoder looks at Ron Paul's prophecies and his consistency.
Why Congress is a favorite GOP whipping boy

Next to President Obama – and each other – the foibles of Congress have provided an easy target for small-government-is-better GOP presidential candidates.
The Circle Bastiat The truth about Carrier IQ phone tracking

Despite invasion of privacy accusations, Carrier IQ is only capable of recording the information that cell phone providers install on it. The US government itself is a far greater threat to citizens' privacy.
12/05/2011 04:00 pm
The Vote Did Ron Paul win GOP's national security debate?

Media-types seem to think Ron Paul more than held his own, which is no small feat, considering many of his ideas on national security are well outside the Republican mainstream.
11/23/2011 11:49 am
GOP debate: all but Ron Paul want Patriot Act extended

GOP debate touches on Patriot Act, which most Republican candidates agreed should be extended.
11/22/2011 11:01 pm
Ron Paul's strength in Iowa shows it's too soon to write him off

Though he has a large and loyal following, Ron Paul's positions on key issues sets him apart from many Republicans. But he keeps moving steadily toward a position of strength in the early voting – especially in Iowa.
11/20/2011 01:00 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
Chapter & Verse Will users of Amazon's Silk browser be trading privacy for efficiency?

Amazon’s Kindle Fire’s cloud-based web browser, Silk, is already raising questions from security experts.
09/29/2011 03:30 pm
The day America changed

A timeline of events on September 11, 2001 and beyond.
09/09/2011 12:43 pm
Opinion The decade since 9/11 has eroded – and confirmed – American values

US actions over the past 10 years have called into question America’s commitment to justice, freedom, and respect for human rights. But the decade has also confirmed how resilient the country's democratic values really are.
09/07/2011 02:59 pm
Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America

How fear has sometimes driven America to forsake its highest ideals.
08/17/2011 04:09 pm
The Monitor's View Help starving Somalia now

The worst drought in 60 years has brought 12 million people to the brink of starvation. Time is running out to avoid a large-scale disaster.
08/12/2011 04:04 pm
Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America

A call to arms about the government's use of scare tactics.
08/11/2011 04:59 pm