As your constituent, I am deeply concerned about the government’s use of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to justify the mass warrantless surveillance of Americans’ online communications with friends, family, and others abroad. I urge you to let this law expire unless it is fundamentally reformed to protect Americans’ privacy. We all deserve to use the internet without fear of being monitored by the government.
The U.S. government is engaging in the mass, warrantless surveillance of Americans’ international phone calls, text messages, emails, and other digital communications using Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as justification. Under this law, the government can use the information they collect without a warrant to prosecute and imprison people — even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security. Given our nation’s history of abusing its surveillance authorities, and the secrecy surrounding the program, I am concerned that Section 702 already will be used disproportionately against groups that often face the greatest government scrutiny, including communities of color, immigrants, or political activists.
With so much of our lives taking place online, it’s more important than ever that we have the freedom to communicate without fear of government surveillance. Section 702 is set to expire at the end of 2023. The NSA, CIA, and other intelligence agencies are pushing Congress to renew this invasive law, but we can’t let that happen.
Please, vote “NO” on reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA and protect our right to privacy on the Internet.
