As we all know, the debate on the Patriot act focuses on how to balance security and privacy in the lives of American citizens.
Security vs. Privacy. ay, there's the rub.
As the Senate debates the renewal of the Patriot Act, Senator Wyden (D-Oregon) has suggested an interesting modification.
Instead of giving the FBI unchecked power to look into private lives, companies, properties, etc., Wyden has suggested that the FBI will still have to request warrants from judges.
In emergencies, however, these warrants only have to be requested before the investigation continues. The FBI doesn't have to wait for approval. Then, within 72 hours, the FBI must justify why the emergency existed.
(more below)
The consequences, as I see them, are as follows:
- The FBI retains the ability to act in "emergency" situations quickly and efficiently.
- The FBI will now be held accountable for situations in which the infringe upon the privacy of citizens when it is "unwarrented" (yes, in both senses of the word)
This particular amendment to the Patriot act seems quite genius. I can't wait to see how this turns out.
Wyden quit talking, so I'm heading back to watch what happens next. I can't believe I never watched this stuff before. Incredible.