|
|
Article: Civil Liberties Intact
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 1, 2001
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
The Oct. 25 front-page story on the passage of the terrorism bill
by the House said that it "greatly expands the ability of law
enforcement and intelligence agencies to tap phones, monitor Internet
traffic and conduct other forms of surveillance in pursuit of
terrorist suspects." This is an exaggeration. The changes made by the
bill in these areas are modest.
Present law requires a court order on a showing of probable cause
before law enforcement can tap a phone. That essential protection
remains intact. The bill brings the law up to date by allowing a
single order to cover multiple locations and service providers. In
the old days of fixed lines and a national phone monopoly, the ...