House Proposal Would Expand Federal Warrantless Spying Authority
One bill set to be considered would grow the scope of federal digital surveillance and would authorize the federal government to use those powers against more individuals.
Patriot Act
Secret Surveillance Warrants Remain Secret
In November, the Supreme Court declined to consider an ACLU petition arguing that the public has a First Amendment right to see the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court's classified decisions.
The PATRIOT Act's Poisoned Tree
Two decades after 9/11, the government's appetite for spying has only grown.
Americans Now Prefer Smaller Government, But May Not Get It
No matter what the public wants, crises typically leave the state more powerful.
What Fear Does to Our Freedom
COVID-19 and 9/11 both created opportunities to restrict our liberties in the name of keeping us safe.
We Lost Liberty After 9/11—COVID-19 Threatens More of the Same
History is repeating itself in ways that we, and our kids, will live to regret.
America's Post-9/11 Surveillance Authorities Were Inevitably Turned Against Its Own Citizens
We were warned about the dangerous power of the USA PATRIOT Act. Edward Snowden proved that critics were justified.
New Laws Against Domestic Terrorism Are Unnecessary and Dangerous
Violent acts are already illegal, and new tools will inevitably be used against those who annoy the powerful.
U.S. Used Facial Recognition on Millions of Air Travelers Last Year, Found No Imposters
Plus: Biden won't pursue Trump's TikTok and WeChat bans, Mitt Romney's child allowance plan, and more...
There Is No Need for Another PATRIOT Act
Law enforcement has more than enough tools already, argues former Senator Russ Feingold in the Wall Street Journal
Don't Let the Capitol Riot Reignite the War on Terror
Government grows in response to a crisis.
Don't Let the Capitol Riot Become a 9/11-Style Excuse for Authoritarianism
Frightening events create openings for attacks on civil liberties.
Sen. Ron Wyden Wants To Stop the Government From Spying on Your Internet Searches
The Wyden-Daines Amendment would've prohibited warrantless monitoring of web activity, but it lost by one vote in the Senate. Will Nancy Pelosi bring it back in the House?
Senate Renews FBI Surveillance Powers With Modest Reforms
An effort by Sen. Rand Paul to forbid warrantless investigation of citizens was soundly defeated.
The Feds' Bulk Collection of Our Data Records Has Been Expensive and Useless. But That Doesn't Mean It's Going to Stop.
A congressional battle erupts over how much to reform the soon-to-expire USA Freedom Act—if they reform it at all.
Joe Biden's Career Is One Long Lesson About the Dangers of Bipartisan Consensus Politics
Biden's reputation as a bipartisan dealmaker might be appealing in these polarized times, but his record as a policy maker is atrocious.
PATRIOT Act Clause Invoked to Keep Man Imprisoned Even After He Served His Sentence
A part of the law intended to hold suspected terrorists for deportation is being twisted to justify indefinite detention.
Giving Government Vast Snooping Authority Is One Thing Democrats and Republicans Both Like
They simply disagree over who should be in charge of misusing and abusing those excessive powers.
Democrats Overwhelmingly Vote to Give Trump's People More Spying Power
Plus: Sondland worked "on Ukraine matters at the express direction of" Trump, why hospital prices are so screwy, D.C. gets pushback for ditching sex work bill, and more...
Congress Will Vote Today on Continuing Resolution That Hikes Spending, Extends Patriot Act Surveillance
Rep. Justin Amash and some progressive lawmakers are trying to block it, but most Democrats seem happy to hand more spying powers to a president they are investigating for abusing his power.
Unlike President Donald Trump, Justin Amash Actually Fights Against FISA Surveillance Abuse
The most absurd attack against the Michigan congressman involves ignoring his entire history in office.
Massage Parlor Surveillance Videos Can't Be Used in Court, Says Florida Judge
Plus: the biggest trouble with Devin Nunes' Twitter lawsuit, the Senate fails to override Trump's Yemen veto, bad news for the gig economy, and more...
White House May Seek Renewal of Domestic Snooping Powers the NSA Has Stopped Using. It Shouldn't.
Section 215 has been used to secretly access our private data, but hasn't accomplished much.
The NSA Has Apparently Stopped the Domestic Surveillance Program Snowden Exposed
For years, security state advocates fought to maintain the authority to snoop on your phone records. Are they really giving up?
Sneak-and-Peek Warrant for Hidden Cameras at Florida Massage Parlors Faces Scrutiny
We were told this sort of spying would only be used to stop terrorists. And yet...
Here's Why Rand Paul Will Vote 'No' on AG Nominee William Barr
Paul cited Barr's past support for warrantless surveillance. He's right to be worried.
Can DHS Shoot Down Citizen Drones? House Votes Today: Reason Roundup
Plus: why Gary Johnson will be good for the Senate, "toxic culture" at the TSA, the dismissal of an anti-FOSTA lawsuit, and a new economic freedom index.
House to Vote on 'Human Trafficking' Bill That Strengthens PATRIOT Act Spying
The PATRIOT Act fell out of fashion-but swap "human trafficker" for "terrorist" and let the civil liberties infringements roll!
Trump Wants to Replace James Comey with Someone a Lot Like Comey
A surprise tweet to announce a thoroughly conventional new FBI director
Is Russia Using U.K. and U.S. Domestic Spying Laws as a Model?: New at Reason
"In Russia, the legislation is compared to the USA Patriot Act."
Think NSA Spying Has Stopped? Think Again
Though Section 215 of the Patriot Act has expired, the NSA's other authorities to spy have not.
See for Yourself for the First Time What User Data the FBI Demanded in a National Security Letter
Gag order lifted in decades-old case fought by small Internet provider.
The NSA Will Stop Collecting Your Phone Metadata Tonight!
Thanks to Edward Snowden, a once-secret and always useless government surveillance programs draws to an end.
Hillary Knows Something Most Democrats Can't Admit
Debate performance illustrates that civil liberties and executive-power abuse matter mostly when Republicans run the White House
We May Soon Get to Know the Contents of an Actual National Security Letter
Federal court invalidates gag order extending more than a decade.
Court Reverses Decision Against NSA Bulk Collection on Standing Issues
Doesn't rule on constitutionality of Patriot Act surveillance
House Passes Bill to Deny/Revoke Passports for Americans Deemed to Have 'Helped' Terrorist Organizations [UPDATED w/ even more outrage!]
No appeals, no definition of 'helped,' no due process
Intelligence Court Shrugs at Ruling Against Mass Surveillance, Temporarily Restores NSA Authority for Metadata Collection
A few more months of privacy violations permitted.
Court Asks How Freedom Act Surveillance Changes Affect ACLU Lawsuit Against NSA
Civil liberties group has publicly called for even stronger reforms.
Ted Cruz Going After the Libertarian-Hawk Vote
Are there libertarian-leaning Republicans who think Rand Paul is too soft on ISIS?
The USA Freedom Act Is Inscrutable—and That's How Politicians Like It
Power thrives in complexity, just as roaches flourish in the dark.
Section 215 Is Dead, But the National Security State Lives
The NSA and kindred agencies have many more arrows in their quiver than Section 215.
Bulk Metadata Collection Is Dead! Long Live Bulk Metadata Collection!
The Obama administration praises death of program while requesting it to be renewed.
