The Patriot Act, 10 Years Later (ACLU)

[chill_wind]

Today marks 10 years.

The Patriot Act, 10 Years Later

Oct 24th, 2011

Posted by Ateqah Khaki

This Wednesday will mark 10 years since the Patriot Act was enacted. Pushed through Congress without debate, the massive surveillance bill was hastily passed just 45 days after 9/11, and was the first of many changes to surveillance laws over the past decade that made it easier for the government to spy on innocent Americans.

Since the Patriot Act was first enacted, lawmakers have authorized extension after extension, refusing to make any meaningful changes to the law. This is despite the fact that — according to Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) — there are two versions of the Patriot Act: one that the public sees, and a secret interpretation that the government keeps to itself. Senator Wyden has stated, “When the American people find out how their government has secretly interpreted the Patriot Act, they will be stunned and they will be angry.” Furthermore, since its passage, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General has repeatedly found widespread blatant abuse of the statute. Yet, earlier this year, Congress passed a four-year extension of expiring Patriot Act provisions, which are now set to expire on June 1, 2015.

Our new infographic illustrates some of the most troubling aspects of the Patriot Act, and our new timeline contextualizes the Patriot Act alongside other laws and government surveillance programs expanding suspicionless spying on ordinary Americans (as well as ACLU efforts to fight unchecked surveillance).

(more)

http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/patriot-act-10-years-later

[chill_wind]

1. Electonic Frontier Foundation: Ten Years After

Ten Years After the Patriot Act, a Look at Three of the Most Dangerous Provisions Affecting Ordinary Americans

October 26, 2011 | By Trevor Timm

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/10/ten-years-later-look-three-scariest-provisions-usa-patriot-act

Talks about

1. SECTION 215 – “ANY TANGIBLE THING”

2. NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS

3. SNEAK AND PEEK WARRANTS

[Jefferson23]

2. K&R . n/t

[OnyxCollie]

3. K&R. nt