The Trump administration is calling for the prompt reauthorization of a controversial part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 permits eavesdropping on high-value targets, including those designated as suspected terrorists, cyber actors, and others. FISA has been extended again and again, and, despite repeated assurances of safeguards, numerous examples of excesses and potential violations of Americans’ privacy have come to light.
WhoWhatWhy Editor-in-Chief Russ Baker explains the background to the administration’s decision — and why it will be viewed as so problematic.
Related front page panorama photo credit: Adapted by WhoWhatWhy from PublicDomainPictures/PixaBay
