Bush Signs Surveillance Law

President Bush signed into law on Friday, October 26, an anti-terrorism package that dismantles many privacy protections for communications and personal data. Many of the provisions are not limited to terrorism investigations, but would apply to all criminal or intelligence investigations.

Civil libertarians are concerned that the surveillance powers give law enforcement too much leeway to collect private information on people on the periphery of investigations. "This bill has been called a compromise," said Jerry Berman, Center For Democracy & Technology Executive Director, "but the only thing compromised is our civil liberties."

More over, the American Civil Liberties Union vowed on Friday that it would work with the Bush Administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure that civil liberties in America are not eroded by the new bill, knonw as the USA Patriot Act.

Foto © BalearWeb: New York, 1982.

Date of publication: 27/10/2001

Formentera >> News >> Archive 1999-2003 >> Bush Signs Surveillance Law