Snowden Leaks Help NSA Critics in Government Surveillance Lawsuits

[Purveyor]

Source: THE HILL

For years, the government has successfully suppressed lawsuits by civil liberties groups challenging the constitutionality of its surveillance programs.But the leaks by Edward Snowden have eroded the government's key legal defense and could mean that questions over whether the National Security Agency is breaking the law will be decided in open court.

"No matter what you think of the lawfulness of these programs, I think everyone should think their legitimacy or illegitimacy is better debated in public and decided by a court," Alex Abdo, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said.

The Justice Department has traditionally argued that groups like the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) cannot prove that they have been affected by the surveillance, and they are therefore not in a position to challenge the programs in court—a legal concept known as "standing."

The courts have consistently sided with the government on the issue and, earlier this year, the Supreme Court threw out an ACLU lawsuit over warrantless wiretapping, concluding the group could not show it had standing to sue...

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/323793-snowden-leaks-help-nsa-critics-in-legal-fights

[idwiyo]

1. K&R

[Thinkingabout]

2. This would be a good thing to have the courts explain the Constitution and the FISA Act to the

Doubters and after they explain this Snowden will still be responsible for his actions.

[DirkGently]

3. This is why we are supposed to SUPPORT whistleblowers. n/t

[ehcross]

4. Snowden contimues to betray America and his leaks are helping U.S. enemies

Edward Snowden seems to be busy making public further U.S. classified documents, and his leaks continue to help U.S. enemies.

It is sad to watch mighty America helpless while its own people continue to expose America´s weaknesses to its laughing enemies.

[Jefferson23]

5. lol

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Enjoy your time on DU.

[Logical]

7. 35 posts says a lot. It is probably Keith Alexander himself. n-t

[Jefferson23]

8. That would be fun, lol.

Yo, Keith welcome to DU.

[Logical]

6. LOL, now THAT is funny. Keep trying to sell that. I want to know the shit the NSA is doing. n-t

[DirkGently]

10. America's enemies fear an informed, empowered public.

It's funny to watch mighty authoritarians, pork-barrelled security companies, privileged insiders, and self-important political operatives helplessly watch their wrongdoing and power-grabbing dragged out into the light of day and beaten senseless.

[Wilms]

9. ^