Is the FBI Watching You? - June 10, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 12

June 10, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 12:

Published: 06/10/2002

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Is the FBI Watching You?

The Department of Justice announced new guidelines for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that dramatically expand their authority to conduct investigations that are not related to criminal activity and engage in surveillance of religious, political and advocacy organizations.

A broad coalition of national organizations lead by the Electronic Privacy Information Center sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Judiciary asking for oversight hearings on the new guidelines. The letter cites concerns about the “FBI’s authority to search through electronic databases without satisfying any legal standards” and “unchecked surveillance of lawful religious and political activity”. The coalition asked that the hearings address the Attorney General’s legal authority to make the changes, the impact on constitutionally protected activity, and how Congress will oversee implementation of the new guidelines and report to the public.

For a detailed analysis of the new guidelines see the Center for Democracy and Technology’s summary.