Let the Patriot Games Continue!
Posted by Merrill Baumann
On Tuesday the Senate voted 69-30 to end debate on proposed changes to the USA Patriot Act, moving the controversial act closer to renewal. The final compromise points included provisions limiting the power of the FBI to demand records (including Internet usage) from libraries only in instances where terrorist usage is suspected.
But opponents assure that the Act will continue to be used in cases not involving terrorism. A federal judge in Florida, for example, recently concluded that nationwide search warrants obtained under Section 220 of the Patriot Act permitted federal prosecutors to obtain nationwide search warrants naming ISPs in California in a case involving a local child pornography case. Critics further point out that ISPs will be less likely to contest such warrants due to the cost of litigation outside of its local jurisdiction -- even if the warrant is deficient.