Sam Sacks - page 55

UPDATE: The House approved Rep. Massie’s amendment this afternoon. The measure prohibits the National Institute of Standards and Technology from working with the National Security Agency or the CIA to weaken cryptographic or computer standards. Headline has been updated to reflect passage. Article continues below.   NSA reformers who argue that the USA Freedom Act didn’t go far enough are readying a new salvo of measures to rein in the surveillance state. “This is not over,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Wednesday morning, announcing that he has… Keep Reading

The Senate passed a “clean” version of the USA Freedom Act Tuesday afternoon in a stunning rebuke of the chamber’s Majority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) The surveillance reform bill already passed the House last month and now awaits President Obama’s signature. Once codified, surveillance authorities under the USA Patriot Act will be reauthorized through 2019. Telephone companies will also begin taking over the NSA’s phone dragnet program—a process that must be completed within six months, as required by the legislation. Ahead of the 67-32… Keep Reading

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rand Paul this week (R-Ky.) unsuccessfully sought to broaden the scope of a prominent surveillance reform bill that the Senate is expected to pass Tuesday evening. The pair of lawmakers were blocked by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in their attempt to attach even more civil liberties-minded amendments to the legislation “Wyden and Paul called on Republican leaders to allow votes on amendments to strengthen privacy protections, rather than forcing votes on amendments that would water down the USA Freedom… Keep Reading

Law enforcement officials are using front companies to operate a fleet of surveillance planes across major American cities, often without a warrant, according to the results of an Associated Press investigation. Equipped with cameras and cellphone intercepts known as “Stingrays,” the aircraft have been spotted recently flying over cities like Washington, Boston, and Baltimore. In the latter city, an FBI plane was seen, by observers on the ground, circling the city during demonstrations against police brutality following the death of Freddie Gray. The AP found that over the… Keep Reading

Although Congress is poised this week to pass a bill aimed at undoing the NSA’s phone dragnet revealed by Edward Snowden, the White House’s thirst for prosecuting the intelligence contractor-turned-whistleblower hasn’t waned. “The fact is that Mr. Snowden committed very serious crimes and the US government and the department of justice believe that he should face them,” administration Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during a briefing on Monday. He was responding to a reporter who asked if the administration was reconsidering prosecuting Snowden, in light… Keep Reading

Senators may have failed to extend expiring Patriot Act surveillance authorities before Sunday’s midnight deadline, but a new legislative push in the upper chamber, if successful, would not only revive government bulk collection, but also, could allow it to go on with no end in sight. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on the Senate floor Monday afternoon that Republican leaders would force the chamber to consider amendments to the USA Freedom Act. Senators are expected to vote on the legislation, supported by Intelligence Committee… Keep Reading