Guardian: The NSA can search for US citizens’ calls and emails without a warrant

According to the Guardian, a loophole in National Security Agency (NSA) rules in the US allows for the spy agency to carry out searches for US citizens’ email and phone call details without the need for a warrant.

The NSA, whose surveillance activities (along with the UK and Germany) came to light following disclosures of classified material by former NSA agent Edward Snowden earlier in the year, can reportedly carry out “warrantless searches for the phone calls or emails of law-abiding Americans”, according to comments from Senator Ron Wyden included in the report.

While the surveillance of foreign nationals looks to have been widespread, authorities were thought to have been unable to try and trace US individuals without a corresponding warrant under  Section 702 of the of the Fisa Amendments Act (FAA). These disclosures would seem to challenge that belief.

➤ Guardian

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