Trump administration backs sweeping surveillance laws to track non-US citizens’ calls and emails

‘Donald Trump’s administration is pushing for the permanent reauthorisation of a law that allows the government to track emails and phone calls of non-US citizens outside the country, despite some concerns by Congress about protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.
Dan Coats, Mr Trump’s national intelligence director, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has helped fight terrorism around the world.
He described the thwarted NYC subway bombing plot by al-Qaeda’s Najibullah Zazi as a testament to the importance of Section 702, adding that permanent authorisation of the law without further amendment – proposed in a bill introduced by Republican Senator Tom Cotton – is a “top legislative priority” for the intelligence community.’
Read more: Trump administration backs sweeping surveillance laws to track non-US citizens’ calls and emails