FBI Admits More Privacy Violations

kwietman writes "The FBI admitted that in 2006, for the fourth straight year, they improperly accessed phone and internet records of U.S. citizens. Director Robert Mueller testified that the abuses occurred prior to sweeping reforms enacted in 2007, and actually blamed the breaches in part on the telecommunications companies, who submitted more information than was requested. In another unsurprising development, the FBI also underreported the number of security letters - used to authorize wiretaps and to subpoena internet and telecom records - by over 4,600. The use of these letters to identify potential terrorists has, according to the government audit, increased dramatically since the implementation of the Patriot Act. Over 1,000 of these security letters were found to be improper in 2005, and similar numbers were expected for 2006 and 2007."

Re:Without outrage...

[Torvaun]

No, you have to prove you were the subject of an incorrect phone tap before you can collect damages, which typically happens after the legal action has started anyways. I wonder if you can bring a civil suit against the Feds if you're improperly tapped...

Re:Right.

[Mr. Slippery]

it could be the requests were sufficiently vague that the telcos thought they were submitting the right amount of information.

If the FBI is submitting vague requests, it's acting illegally. Amendment IV: "...no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

If the telcos are rolling over and complying with vague requests, then they are accessories to the FBI's crimes.

In a sane world, the FBI and telco officials would be tried for their crimes against the security and dignity of American citizens, and those found responsible would be made to make restitution and would barred from any position of trust until they had proven their rehabilitation. However, I've long since given up hope of living in a sane world...