technology
Lawmakers Debate FISA Reforms and AI-Enhanced Surveillance
U.S. lawmakers are pushing for reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act due to worries that artificial intelligence could enhance government surveillance capabilities. A bipartisan group has introduced bills to require warrants for searching Americans' data and restrict purchases from data brokers.
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A bipartisan coalition has formed to address these issues. In March, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, along with co-sponsors in the House and Senate, introduced the Government Surveillance Reform Act. This bill aims to address what sponsors describe as abuses of Section 702.
Sen. , a co-sponsor, stated on the Senate floor last week that government officials have used Section 702 data to search for information on Black Lives Matter protesters, political campaign donors, elected officials, and a state judge who complained about police abuses.
Wyden added that new tools like AI require new rules to prevent violations of Americans' privacy rights. He emphasized that law enforcement should use technology responsibly.
“For years, there have been jaw-dropping abuses of section 702," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said on the Senate floor last week. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., spoke at a press conference on Thursday about a new bill to close data-collection loopholes. He said that AI could be used to query databases extensively, potentially allowing the government to know virtually everything about individuals. Massie highlighted the risks of turning AI loose on these databases.”
, introduced a new version of the law that would extend Section 702 for three years and include some safeguards. However, the bill does not require warrants for searches, which some lawmakers have sought. Wyden described the draft as a rubber stamp to conduct warrantless surveillance on Americans.
m. Johnson then agreed to the 10-day extension. Even some Democrats, such as Rep. , who supported Section 702 in 2024, now insist on reforms to protect privacy and civil liberties. Raskin highlighted the Trump administration’s hollowing out of existing oversight mechanisms, like the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, as reasons to ensure stronger safeguards.
