Bill Meant to Protect E-Mail Privacy Now Grants Government More Spying Powers

Law enforcement expressed concerns to bill sponsor Senator Patrick Leahy and it was rewritten

A Senate proposal touted as protecting Americans' e-mail privacy has been quietly rewritten, giving government agencies more surveillance power than they possess under current law.

CNET has learned that Patrick Leahy, the influential Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee, has dramatically reshaped his legislation in response to law enforcement concerns. A vote on his bill, which now authorizes warrantless access to Americans' e-mail, isscheduled for next week.