In the US, there is always a proposal on the table to erode consumer privacy in one way or another. A new amendment to the 2001 Patriot Act can have very dire consequences indeed.
It is expected that the 2001 Patriot Act will be renewed by the US Senate later today.
The FBI Doesn’t Need More Power
Not only is that interesting to keep an eye on, but there may be an amendment to this Act.
Mitch McConnell wants to add a section that gives the FBI even more surveillance powers.
More specifically, the FBI would be able to collect web-browsing and search histories of all Americans without a warrant.
It is now up to the Senate to determine whether they want to approve this amendment or not.
One interesting detail is how it would not allow the FBI from accessing the content of a web-browsing history.
Instead, they gain access to records detailing which sites and search terms people entered into their browser.
This news comes on the heels of a failed amendment forcing the FBI to obtain a warrant prior to accessing people’s web-browsing history.
That proposal fell short by just one vote, opening the door for warrantless access once again.