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NSA Wiretapping Program Expands


By: Seán Kreyling

On Sunday, President Bush signed the Protect America Act into law. This legislation gives the National Security Agency expanded authority to intercept phone calls and e-mails of foreigners and, under some circumstances, American citizens. According to the Boston Globe, the new law “carves out a broad exemption from a 1978 law that requires the government to obtain a judge’s permission to monitor calls and e-mails on US soil”.

Among its key provisions, the act allows wiretapping without a warrant, as long as the surveillance target is reasonably believed to be outside the United States; grants the attorney general and the director of national intelligence the power to authorize the surveillance; and permits the attorney general and the DNI to compel telecommunications companies to cooperate with the government.

The New York Times has additional coverage of this story in print, while The News Hour has Kate Martin, the director of the Center for National Security Studies, square off in a televised debate against Bryan Cunningham, a former lawyer for the National Security Council, regarding the civil liberties implications of this law, as well as the law’s constitutional status.

UPDATE 8/15: The Security Threat in the New Wiretapping Law; and a Wire tapping Scandal in Greece


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    • Comments 3

    1. spvn wrote:

      It’s amazing that the USA is still pursuing such policies that are bound to anger the American public. In my opinion there really isn’t any more need to infringe upon the people’s rights like that. Still, it’s all up to the Bush Administration (for now).

      Posted 08 Aug 2025 at 10:30 am
    2. David Bibo wrote:

      Here’s some fantastic news via ThinkProgress: Robert Mugabe’s government cites the US wiretapping program in justifying Zimbabwe’s domestic spying program! (link)

      From ThinkProgress:

      “Yesterday, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe “signed into law the controversial Interception of Communications Bill, which gives his government the authority to eavesdrop on phone and Internet communications and read physical mail.” In order to defend the law, which has been called “the dictator’s tool kit,” Mugabe’s spokesperson pointed to President Bush’s wiretapping program:

      “Human rights lawyer Otto Saki told VOA that the law interferes and undermines the enjoyment of rights enshrined in the constitution and is a sign Mr. Mugabe wants to consolidate his power by “any means necessary or unnecessary.”

      “But Communications Minister Christopher Mushowe said Zimbabwe is not unique in the world in passing such legislation, citing electronic eavesdropping programs in the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa, among other countries.”

      Posted 13 Aug 2025 at 9:28 am
    3. Seán Kreyling wrote:

      Here’s a related story from today’s FP Passport called “U.S. company strikes gold in tracking Chinese citizens”

      Here’s hoping that we don’t follow suit.

      Posted 13 Aug 2025 at 6:15 pm

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