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CDT Endorses FISA Reform Bill, USA FREEDOM Act

Today, the Center for Democracy & Technology sent a letter to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representatives James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and John Conyers, Jr., (D-MI), to signal CDT’s support for the United and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ending Eavesdropping, Dragnet Collection, and Online Monitoring Act, the “USA FREEDOM” Act. The legislation would restore balance to intelligence surveillance authority by raising the standard for collection of information pursuant to Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act and other intelligence authorities.

In addition to raising the standard that applies to intelligence collection, the USA FREEDOM Act would also permit companies to disclose more information about the intelligence surveillance demands they receive, require the government to make such disclosures, close the “backdoor search loophole,” and add a Constitutional Advocate to FISA Court proceedings.

“The USA FREEDOM Act gets it right – the bulk collection of telephony metadata must stop now to restore some balance between security concerns and civil liberties. While some seek to codify this bulk collection, the USA FREEDOM Act is being introduced to end it and bring about other much needed reforms to intelligence surveillance,” said Greg Nojeim, Director of CDT’s Project on Freedom, Security and Technology. “The government has not made the case for violating the fundamental right to privacy of millions of innocent citizens through bulk collection. CDT strongly urges passage of this important legislation.”

USA FREEDOM Act Resources:

Senator Leahy statement on USA FREEDOM Act

USA FREEDOM Act Summary

USA FREEDOM Act Full Text

USA Freedom Act House of Representatives Sponsors