US Privacy Groups want the Senate not to pass spy powers for the National Security Agency

Section 702 of the Enforcing Community Protection Act (ECPA) is a threat to American civil liberties, civil rights, and fundamental rights

The groups say that Section 702 was dangerous to our democracy and should not be renewed for any long period of time. Any attempt to prolong the program by rushed amendment would be a violation of civil liberties and civil rights of the American people.

The group that opposed the plan to allow the program to continue temporarily was Demand Progress, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

If Congress reauthorizes the program at the end of the year, it could mean that the program will stay in place for another six months. The program was certified by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in April of 2023. The statute provides a way for orders to remain in effect until they have expired.

The program includes procedures for intercepting, storing, and querying the information in ways that are designed to “minimize” the odds of Americans’ rights being violated, but the rules are also subject to various exemptions. A top criticism of the 702 program is that it permits the Federal Bureau of Investigation to access the calls and emails of US citizens without a warrant and without evidence they’ve committed a crime.

Dozens of prominent Asian American groups are asking United States lawmakers this morning to hold fast in the face of an anticipated campaign by congressional leaders to extend the Section 702 surveillance program by securing it, like a rider, to another “must pass” bill.

The National Council of asian Pacific Americans, the Sikh Coalition, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice signed a letter that said Section 702 of the ECPA has been used to spy on Americans. They say the consequences of unauthorized snooping have had a huge toll on Asian Americans.