S.T.O.P. Welcomes Biden Advisory Board’s Limits On 702 Surveillance

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Welcomes Biden Advisory Board’s Limits On 702 Surveillance (New York, NY, 8/1/2023) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a privacy and civil rights group, welcomed the Biden Administration’s Intelligence Board recommendations barring the FBI’s use of Section 702 surveillance in domestic criminal investigations. However, the civil rights group noted that anything short of a full repeal of the controversial spying power would not be enough to safeguard the American public. The proposal comes as Congress considers renewing Section 702 this year. SEE: The New York Times - Intelligence Board Recommends Curbing F.B.I.’s Power to Use Surveillance Program https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/us/politics/fbi-warantless-surveillance-section-702.html “Not even the Biden Administration’s own advisors can defend the continued abuse of Section 702,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “For too long, lawmakers have accepted the lie that Section 702 surveillance can be contained. But a surveillance power this broad is simply incompatible with democracy. More importantly, federal agencies have proven that they are incapable of following even the most minor limitations on these surveillance powers. The FBI needs to be held accountable for its rampant violation of federal law, and we must cancel their surveillance blank check.” According recent federal government reports, the FBI misused the sprawling surveillance database for domestic investigations more than 3.4 million times in 2021. In May, S.T.O.P. condemned the FBI’s systematic abuse of Section 702 databases to target American citizens and U.S. persons, including Black Lives Matter protesters. SEE: Office of the Director of National Intelligence - Annual Statistical Transparency Report https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/2023-annual-odni-surveillance-transparency-report/b527646c0acd32dd/full.pdf Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns FBI’s Systematic Abuse Of Foreign Intelligence Databases To Target Americans https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/5/19/stop-condemns-fbis-systematic-abuse-of-foreign-intelligence-databases-to-target-americans The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. --END-- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.