White House seeks clean extension on controversial spying law

"Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows spy agencies to compel internet and telecom providers to supply communications data on foreign targets abroad without a court warrant. But the process can also sweep in communications of Americans talking to targeted persons, raising major civil liberties concerns."

"Collected 702 communications are stored in classified databases, where analysts query them for foreign intelligence. Search terms - known as 'selectors' - can include names, phone numbers or email addresses of targeted individuals. Analysts may query stored U.S. person data when they believe doing so is reasonably likely to return useful information for investigations."

"The FBI has acknowledged that it has made improper use of Section 702, specifically admitting to searching for information on individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, as well as people arrested during 2020 racial justice protests following the police killing of George Floyd."

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows U.S. spy agencies to compel internet and telecom providers to supply communications data on foreign targets without court warrants. The statute expires in April and the Trump administration is pushing for a clean reauthorization without modifications. The law can incidentally collect communications of Americans contacting targeted individuals, raising civil liberties concerns. Collected communications are stored in classified databases where analysts search using selectors like names, phone numbers, or email addresses. The FBI has acknowledged improper use of Section 702, including searches related to January 6 Capitol riot participants and individuals arrested during 2020 racial justice protests. A clean extension would renew surveillance powers without adding warrant requirements for U.S. person data searches.

Read at Nextgov.com