98: USA Freedom Act: Privatization of the Patriot Act Congressional Dish

It's law! The USA Freedom Act, which reauthorizes and privatizes portions of the Patriot Act, is being called a victory for privacy... but it's not. In this episode, find out all the details of the bill that was signed into law just hours after this episode was recorded, including how it continues bulk data collection and lets the most powerful men in the United States get away with breaking the law. Executive Producer: Brandon K. Lewis Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! : USA Freedom Act of 2015 : FISA business records reforms The government will need to provide for the data being collected , unless that telecom is under investigation The term can't be a ", including the United States, a city, a county, a State, a zip code, or an area code" The term must be something that The government will have after the bill is signed into law Limits ongoing phone call record collection to unless extended Orders the telecoms the order from the government to turn over call records if he/she informs a judge and applies for the warrant within 7 days. , nothing collected under the Attorney General's emergency power will be admissible in court, "except with the approval of the Attorney General if the information indicates a threat of death or serious bodily harm to any person." will be in charge of determining if the standards above are met. a clause that lets a a protest from a company fighting a FISA order to any company that hands over information under a FISA order or an emergency order from the Attorney General for "expenses incurred" producing the information or assisting the government with FISA or emergency orders will not include the contents of the call, the person's name, address or financial information, or the cell phone's GPS location. The bill expressly says that , as authorized in by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 : FISA pen register and trap and trace device reform for the use of tracing devices installed to track phone numbers dialed in monitor Internet communications. : FISA acquisitions targeting person outside the United States reforms can be waived if the government fixes whatever illegal thing they were doing, which Within 180 days after enactment, FISA court judges will pick at least five people - "friends of the court" - to . for the amicus curiae participation. if the amicus curiae's participation is appropriate The Director of National Intelligence "to the greatest extent practicable" any FISA court decision that includes "a significant construction or interpretation of any provision of law" The decision, order, or opinion can be released to the public The Director of National Intelligence to make FISA decisions, orders, and opinions public as long as they say it's "necessary to protect the national security of the United States or properly classified intelligence sources or methods". : National Security Letter reform Letters served by the FBI to telecoms that allow the FBI to secretly demand data. There is a gag order on anyone who receives these letters, guaranteeing that the public is not told and that there is no judicial review. if the order "specifically identifies a person, entity, telephone number, or account as the basis for a request". There , preventing companies from telling anyone that the FBI is requesting the information, as long as the order also has a notification of the telecoms and if the : "A danger to the national security of the United States" "Interference with a criminal, counterterrorism or counterintelligence investigation" "Interference with diplomatic relations" (new) "Danger to the life or physical safety of any person" : FISA tra