NSA Warrant Less Surveillance Controversy
The National Security Agency actions on collecting intelligence on foreign nationals and those within the USA by monitoring phone calls and other various communications held by anyone suspected or known to have links to terrorist group has become controversial especially after the New York Times reported the existence of such a program for the first time in December 2005. It has especially been criticized for `domestic` intercepts as such act requires FISC authorization (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance act). The core of the controversy lies with the extent and use of such a surveillance of the US persons without any authorized warrant against the person. However defenders of the program claim that the intercepts are of foreign intelligence and essential to information required for the war on terror. They claim that the FISC requirements can be bypassed due to the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)
The revelation of the program by the media and then the confirmation of such a program by Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has raised concerns and questions regarding the legality of the program and its potential for abuse.
Authorization of such a program was issued by the President Bush as an executive order following the attacks of 9/11. Following the attacks, the congress passed the AUMF resolution. According to the Bush administration, the AUMF allows the President to bypass any FISC provisions. The exact details of the authorization are unknown but it includes surveillance of communication between known members of or affiliates of a terrorist organization or those suspected to hold links with terrorist outfits with any one in US.
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