- United States
- Del.
- Letter
I am writing today to ask that you demand major reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Section 702 of FISA was passed in 2008 as a counterterrorism measure, but it has a long history of government abuse, especially when it comes to surveillance. As it stands, FISA allows warrantless surveillance, lacks protections for critics and vulnerable communities, and threatens our freedoms of speech and association.
Congress faces a crucial decision: will you support warrantless mass surveillance or demand real privacy reforms?
Please do not vote for reauthorization unless the legislation is amended to:
• Close the backdoor search loophole: Require a warrant for government access to any personal communications to consistently protect personal privacy.
• Close the data broker loophole: Hold government agencies to the same standard of privacy protection when purchasing data from commercial brokers. In the age of AI, this protection is essential to preventing unprecedented government collection of our data.
• Fix the overbroad expansion of electronic communication service providers: Prevent the government from using vague and overbroad definitions to compel building owners, including those leasing to nonprofits and media, to turn over internet data.
• Remove barriers to amici access and participation at the FISA Court: Even after prior reforms, amici are still restricted in access to proceedings and relevant materials. This reform will ensure the FISA Court allows amici access to cases affecting civil rights and civil liberties.
Now more than ever, especially in the era of mass AI, personal privacy and civil liberties must be protected. Please hold the line to protect your constituents from unnecessary and warrantless mass surveillance by refusing to reauthorize FISA without real reform.