The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing on April 8 to discuss issues related to warrantless government surveillance. The hearing featured input from members and witnesses from various political backgrounds, emphasizing the potential risks associated with warrantless surveillance and suggesting legislative measures to regulate government surveillance powers.
A week later, on April 15, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) submitted a statement addressing three main concerns. The statement called for the closure of the "Backdoor Search Loophole," which permits warrantless searches of American communications under Section 702 of FISA. It also advocated for closing the "Data Broker Loophole" to prevent law enforcement agencies from purchasing data that should legally require a warrant. Additionally, the statement emphasized the importance of restoring the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board's (PCLOB) independence to enhance government surveillance oversight and prevent abuses.
Gene Schaerr, General Counsel for the Project for Privacy & Surveillance Accountability, who also testified at the hearing, shared the recently released joint issue brief by CDT and the PPSA. The document, titled "Debunking Myths on the National Security Impact of Warrants for U.S. Person Queries," addresses misconceptions about the national security implications of requiring warrants for such searches.